Santa Barbara police have increased enforcement against unsafe and illegal use of e‑bikes in the city. The city’s new municipal regulation allows the Santa Barbara Police Department to issue tickets and impound vehicles. These enforcements follow the end of a warning period for Municipal Code 10.52. It was passed earlier this year to address safety concerns around e-bikes.
Highlights
- After the end of a warning period, Santa Barbara police have started issuing citations and impounding e-bikes under Municipal Code 10.52.
- High‑speed e‑bikes are being cited under the same rules that apply to other vehicles.
- The enforcement is independent of the Grand Jury’s report on e-bike accidents.
Fines are Being Enforced After the End of the Grace Period for Municipal Code 10.52
On Wednesday, officers impounded a Surron e-motorcycle, which can reach 60 mph, by the Dolphin Fountain. The bike lacked functional pedals and was towed by Thomas Towing. It will be held for 72 hours. The rider was issued a standard citation even though they were not present during the towing.
Commander Chris Payne stated that the enforcement of the municipal code is not a direct response to the Santa Barbara County Grand Jury’s latest report on e-bike safety risks, which also documents a fatal accident from May. He said, “Now that the code has gone through the warning period, we are conducting enforcement when we have additional officers available.”
The city applies the same regulations to e‑bike riders as it does to motor vehicles. The fines range from $100 for the first violation to $500 for the third violation within the same year. Minors will be required to take the Youth Diversion Program’s safety class in place of monetary penalties.
Several officers, often themselves on motorcycles and bicycles, are now issuing citations – a practice that started in May. This month, the city has stepped up enforcement as officers fully implement Municipal Code 10.52.
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I’m back to the “I find this part interesting” (to say the least…); during Tracy’s “reporting of Wednesday’s crackdown/event”, where she says “when they become available” (around @ 1:57)?
https://keyt.com/news/safety/2025/07/09/e-bike-riders-urged-to-ride-by-the-rules-or-face-fines/
…side note; glad they took that dude’s “off-road e-motorcycle” off the streets of DT SB!
🚴
It’s about time! what took so long?
Meanwhile, aggressive bicyclists blowing red lights and stop signs and running down pedestrians keep getting a free pass…
A bike going 10mph can stop within a couple of feet–what may appear to you as “blowing through.” And what about all those drivers–far, far more–who ignore the 3 ft to pass a cyclist law? I’d LOVE to see some enforcement of that! Maybe impatient self-righteous drives can think about that while sitting in their CO2-spewing SUVs.
A ‘bicycle’ with an electric motor capable of doing well over 30 mph, without even pedaling,is a motorcycle! you should have to go through all the DMV driving and written tests and registration fees that a motorcycle rider does…period
The heavy, fat-tire “e-bikes” that are all the rage–the majority I see on bikepaths these days–are really e-peds (e-mopeds). They easily go over the 20mph limit of what counts as a Level 1 or 2 ebike. The vast majority of the tykes riding them don’t have to pedal and haven’t a clue about rider etiquette. If their parents could see what they do I’d bet they’d be alarmed.
What a great idea and event:
“Santa Barbara Residents Weigh In on E-Bike Challenges, Solutions
Westmont Center for Dialogue & Deliberation hosts a community discussion on safety and accessibility for cyclists”
-Noozhawk
Did anyone here attend? I’d love to hear more about it.