Laguna Woods introduces updated pedestrian, bicycle and e‑bike rules, sets 5 mph sidewalk speed limit

Laguna Woods city council on Aug. 20 introduced and approved the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 8.12 of the Laguna Woods Municipal Code to modernize pedestrian, bicycle and electric‑bicycle regulations.

Staff said the review began after a county grand jury report (titled “e‑bikes: friend or foe”) recommended cities adopt clearer local rules for e‑bikes. The proposed ordinance aligns rules for conventional bicycles and electric bicycles: it sets a 5 mph speed limit for bicycles on sidewalks, prohibits the use of handheld electronic devices while riding unless in a hands‑free mode, and prohibits leaving bicycles or electric bicycles in public rights‑of‑way in a manner that obstructs pedestrian or vehicular circulation.

The ordinance also creates a prohibition on unsafe electric‑bicycle use, giving examples to guide enforcement (for example, riding the wrong way in a bike lane, intentionally lifting wheels, carrying a passenger on a single‑seat bike). Staff said the changes emphasize safety and objective, observable violations that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department can enforce; the measure removes a provision that allowed the city manager to unilaterally prohibit sidewalk bicycle use, leaving prohibition authority to the council.

A written letter from the advocacy group Streets for All expressing mixed views was submitted and entered into the record. Council members said harmonizing rules with neighboring jurisdictions and relying on sheriff enforcement reduces confusion for riders who travel across municipal borders. The introduction passed on first reading; the ordinance will return for a subsequent vote to adopt.

Staff emphasized the ordinance applies only to public streets and rights‑of‑way and does not govern private streets or Laguna Woods Village private property.