The city of Carpinteria has updated its municipal code to address the growing use of e-bikes and motorized scooters, bringing the devices under existing bicycle regulations and restricting their use on sidewalks within the city’s central traffic district.
In the city’s monthly email newsletter The Current, officials say the changes are aimed at improving pedestrian safety in high-traffic areas while adapting to the rapid rise in e-bike ridership, particularly among younger riders.
Under the updated rules, e-bikes and motorized scooters are no longer permitted on sidewalks in the downtown core, where foot traffic is heaviest. The city is rolling out the changes through a phased approach that prioritizes education before enforcement.
The first phase, currently underway, focuses on community outreach. City staff and deputies from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office are contacting riders observed in violation of the new rules, issuing warnings and offering guidance rather than citations.
A second phase is expected to begin in late spring, coinciding with the end of the school year. At that point, the city will shift toward targeted enforcement, with citations issued in areas of concern, including downtown corridors and near school campuses.
In tandem with enforcement, the city is launching a Youth Diversion Pilot Program designed to educate rather than penalize younger riders. First-time offenders under the age of 18 will have the option to complete a safety course through MOVE Santa Barbara County in lieu of paying a fine.
City officials emphasized that the goal of the updated ordinance is not punitive, but preventative — ensuring that Carpinteria remains safe and accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and riders alike.
The city encourages residents and families to familiarize themselves with the new regulations and to prioritize safe riding practices as the program rolls out.
