Council introduces ordinance expanding e-bike and motorized conveyance rules, authorizes impoundment for unsafe juvenile use

El Segundo staff introduced an ordinance Nov. 13 to broaden municipal code prohibitions to cover electric bicycles, motorized scooters, off-highway motorcycles and similar conveyances in business districts, on sidewalks, in parks and recreation areas, and to authorize graduated citations and impoundment for unsafe juvenile operation.

The city attorney said the ordinance updates outdated bicycle code language and mirrors actions taken by neighboring cities. The police department described a three-pronged enforcement approach and detailed that the ordinance would allow citation levels of $100 (first violation), $200 (second) and $500 (third) and authorize impoundment of juvenile e-bikes when they are ridden in an egregious or dangerous manner (wheelies, high speed through crosswalks, operating under the influence).

Law and enforcement: Staff said existing California law (assembly bill referenced) will allow impoundment of non‑street‑legal motorcycles beginning in January and that the city’s ordinance would give local officers authority to impound certain illegal or dangerous conveyances and issue citations. Police described an education pathway for some juvenile violations: minor traffic infractions may be eligible for a class (e.g., Ebikesense) to dismiss citations, while egregious conduct would risk impoundment.

Next steps: Council introduced the ordinance; it will be brought back for potential adoption at the next regular meeting.