Grand Jury Report Harshly Criticizes Local Leaders for E-Bike Enforcement Issues and Lack of Public Information
John Palminteri
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Barbara County Grand Jury has issued a strongly-worded report on e-bike enforcement and education for riders in the region, specifically in the City of Santa Barbara.
They called the investigation ‘a sense of urgency’ after numerous complaints and public comments about the increase in e-bikes and the safety issues that have been reported both in the main downtown area and other sectors of the community. That would include school routes and the bike paths at the beaches.
It said in a clear, direct statement: “Public safety is at risk.”
“Public safety is our number one priority. So when there’s a report stating that we’re not doing enough to address this, then it should be in the forefront of what we’re planning to do for for the city overall,” said City Councilman Oscar Gutierrez. He is the owner of an e-bike and rides it often through his Westside district and around downtown.
The report shows bike related crashes as reported to the police and at Cottage Hospital, but points out the way the crashes are or are not reported indicates the numbers are likely low.
The hospital data shows bike riders have suffered injuries to their head, arms, and legs.
The Grand Jury details went through the process of identifying what the difference is between various e-bikes. It also went through the process of how state and local laws have been changed to keep up with the vehicle types and the issues with riders.
E-bikes considered e-motorcycles are absolutely not allowed on the street and will be impounded. In Santa Barbara, the report says that has already happened. It also says citations have been issued and in some cases parents have been notified if the rider is underage.
Administrative fines for citations start at $100. and can go up to $500.d
The Santa Barbara Police Department has started enforcement efforts with a new ordinance and rules, but the report says there has been no extra staff or funds to help carry out the added duties. The Grand Jury recommends “a more consistent and strategic approach to unsafe actions by e-bike riders to bring about needed changes in behavior.”
Gutierrez said, “we’ve been trying to address this issue since the start of the pandemic, and the report somewhat alluded to that in parts of it. And, I can’t really find anything I disagree with in the report. ” With the new police enforcement, he said, “I personally have seen a change in some of the e-bike riders. I don’t see them being as reckless as they were prior to the police increased enforcement.”
The enforcement has been with bicycle cops and officers on motorcycles.
The report says with the new ordinance there has not been an adequate amount of community outreach to educate the public about the laws and the riding risks.
The Grand Jury recommends an expanded community-wide public information campaign.
Part of the investigation included social media.
Numerous messages and posts cited bad behavior and near accidents on the part of e-bike riders. Accidents have been verified by local police and hospital records.
One person died in May on State Street downtown in an e-bike crash. It involved a suspected drunk driver and the incident is currently in the court system.
One rider on an e-motorcycle bike or “pocket bike” said “Yeah, it’s so fun riding. It’s an awesome bike Yeah.” Michael Firestone says he does’t do wheelies. ” I’m a good boy, you know?” He was wearing full safety gear at the time including a full face helmet.
Three Junior High students said they are not happy with friends who are dangerous on any bike. Aaron Horta said police came to his school to do a safety presentation and, “they did a demonstration if a car backed out of a driveway, how long it would take you to stop before you got to the back of the car.”
It’s not uncommon for people to have had a bad experience around dangerous riders, that includes knowing of people with injuries.
Happy Beltran said a friend was hit and wounded. “She got her legs hurt and she had to go to the hospital to get better and she got better but that guy didn’t stop at all. “
Luis Sanchez said, “I feel like it could be safer because sometimes people don’t really look when they cross. I have almost been hit by an e-bike I feel like it could be safer.”
The report focused on safety only although in recent months there’s been a larger community discussion taking place on the possible economic impacts of the e-bikes in the retail and restaurant promenade.
The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.