On Oct. 10, Novato Mayor Susan Wernick brought forward a question to the city council: “Would you be willing to discuss new legislation surrounding electric mobility devices (e-bikes/scooters)?” With the majority of the council saying yes, a full discussion will start Jan.
Wernick wants consistency within Marin County surrounding e-bike legislation and thinks Mill Valley’s ordinance, issued in May of 2023, is a good place to start.
“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel; we can copy Mill Valley’s design,” Wernick said.
Mill Valley’s ordinance includes speed limitations, mandatory safety information from vendors, and restrictions on where people can ride an e-bike, including sidewalks and trails. Riders who fail to meet these standards will be required to attend a four-hour safety class through the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.
Thoughts of new regulations have come about after a major spike in e-bike use in Novato.
“E-bike usage has increased very quickly,” Principal Jennifer Larson said. “The difference between last year and this year is pretty extreme.”
E-bikes and e-scooters have become popular with middle schoolers and high school underclassmen because it’s a quick way to get around without a license. However, they are easy to misuse. Freshmen Isaac Abarca and Maddie Cain have both been involved in e-bike accidents.
“I’ve crashed once,” Cain said. “My friend was riding in front of me and she slammed on the brakes, so I ran into her.”
While riding something that he classifies as a dirtbike, Abarca, “took a jump and fell off the bike.”
Nevertheless, these incidents were minor enough that they have not dissuaded Cain and Abarca from riding.
“They’re safe, it just depends on how you ride and treat them.”
– Isaac Abarca
Freshman
“They’re safe, it just depends on how you ride and treat them,” Abarca said.
San Marin is now working with the Novato Police Department and Safe Routes to School to better inform students and parents about e-bike safety and usage. Safe Routes to School held an informational night on electric bikes and scooters on Nov. 29 for the whole community.
Wernick hopes that a new ordinance is the first step to widespread change.
“Mill Valley’s ordinance is a good first start; eventually I really feel that something needs to happen at the state level,” Wernick said.
Assembly member Tasha Boerner is currently working on Assembly Bill 530, which “would prohibit a person under 12 years of age from operating an electric bicycle of any class” (TrackBill). This bill has not yet been adopted, and is under review in the Transportation Committee.
“The most important thing is to get out there and educate people,” Wernick said. “For me, it’s safety and education.”
