The Danville Town Council voted unanimously this week to advance an e-bike safety ordinance after growing resident complaints.
Under the proposed ordinance, e-bikes would not be allowed to be ridden in town parks, though riders can dismount and walk their e-bikes. Additionally, the ordinance would establish a 15 mph speed limit on town-managed trails.
Throughout the three-hour meeting Tuesday, several Danville residents spoke during the public comment period about complaints and concerns surrounding e-bike classification, speed limits and enforcement. Residents and council members discussed which types of e-bikes pose safety risks and whether standard bicycles could be swept up in any restrictions.
Danville resident Jenny Phillips shared in public comment about how she was hit by an e-bike four weeks ago, which led to a broken and partially amputated finger. The police report found that because the e-bike rider was on a town path, he could not be cited, even though police found him at fault for the collision, Phillips said. She urged the council to require riders to gain licenses as a potential solution.
“Also, allow the police to give citations to these kids, even if they’re not present or on a state path,” Phillips said during the meeting. “If a report’s been done, and the kid’s been found at fault, allow the police — East Bay park police, Danville police — to cite those kids, and if not, why even bother doing a police report if no action is going to be taken? That’s all I have to say, and I’m still pretty mad.”
Similarly, Danville resident Anne Elliott said there have been various times where riders on e-bikes have almost collided with her on the sidewalk and in town parks. She urged the council to ban the use of e-bikes in parks to protect residents. Another resident said the ban on e-bikes should also apply to regular bicycles.
Tuesday’s 5-0 vote approved the first reading of the ordinance, allowing it to proceed to a final reading at the council’s next meeting on July 7 at 5 p.m. According to a town news release, if the e-bike ordinance is approved, the new regulations would take effect in August.
This ordinance has been developed after months of growing complaints from town residents. In January, Danville launched its “Not My Kid” e-bike program, which aimed to teach families about the pros and cons of e-bikes. The campaign, which involved the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and the Danville Police Department, was designed to spark discussion on safety regarding children riding e-bikes.
