A final vote on a proposed ordinance to increase regulations on e-bikes in La Mesa is on hold amid pushback from the community and division among city leaders.
The delay came even though the La Mesa City Council unanimously approved the ordinance on first reading last month. It requires a second and final reading.
Citing a growing number of e-bike-related incidents in the East County city, officials proposed banning their use for children under 12. The proposal would align city rules with a state pilot program that took effect this year and allows cities to impose age restrictions for e-bike users.
While many residents have acknowledged the rise in e-bike related incidents, some voiced opposition to the proposed ordinance at a recent meeting, arguing it would go too far.
Andrea Cryer, a resident of La Mesa and a mom of four, said the proposed e-bike ban would “criminalize our plan to get our children to school.”
“This takes away our right as parents to decide the best way for our kids to get to school that suits our family,” Cryer said. “If the reason for banning all e-bikes is in the name of safety for kids, please instead focus on developing more protected bike lanes and other infrastructure for them.”
The proposal would bar children under the age of 12 from operating Class 1 and 2 e-bikes.
A Class 1 e-bike is defined as a bicycle equipped with a pedal-assist motor, while a Class 2 e-bike includes a throttle that allows the bicycle to be motorized without pedaling.
Though both types of e-bikes can reach up to 20 mph, Cryer said many Class 1 e-bikes top out at 10 mph and their maximum speeds can be adjusted.
“This ordinance is not the solution because it targets age and not behavior; this law penalizes the safe rider and misses the one creating the risk,” said Cassie Knight, a lifelong resident of La Mesa.
By prioritizing education and training requirements, Knight said the issue could be better addressed.
After struggling to find parking in the city’s downtown village district while attending the farmer’s market on Fridays, Knight bought e-bikes for her family.
Knight said she had her 10-year-old daughter complete an e-bike safety course before she was allowed to operate one.
The city’s proposed ban on e-bikes for children under 12 would mean her daughter would miss out on that weekend tradition.
After hearing from residents who opposed the ordinance, Councilmember Laura Lothian and Vice Mayor Lauren Cazares said they could no longer support it, unless changes were made.
“I do not want to punish families that are doing something as healthy as riding bikes and hanging out,” Lothian said. “It’s already against the law, it’s called reckless driving. If we crack down on that, we can leave the parents and kids alone.”
La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney said reckless speeding is the biggest concern for young e-bike riders, noting that he supports any proposal that would increase public safety.
Mayor Mark Arapostathis and Councilmember Patricia Dillard were absent from the meeting. The ordinance’s main proponent, Councilmember Genevieve Suzuki, made a motion to hold the ordinance until their next scheduled meeting so the entire council could weigh in.
“I feel very strongly about this … I don’t want our city to be the first to experience the death of a child because we did not step up and protect our kids,” Suzuki said. “I don’t think we should go forward with this with us this divided.”