Council weighs ebike and group-ride safety after reports of unsafe encounters with students and equestrians

Woodside — Council members raised public-safety concerns about large group bike rides and ebike safety during the communications portion of the meeting, and staff said it will pursue fact-finding and coordination with sheriff bike patrols.

Council member Jen said state legislative activity on ebike safety is likely to be robust and encouraged residents to attend a virtual town hall hosted by Senator Josh Becker. She also described several reports of large group rides, sometimes called 'pelotons,' traveling in a manner council members considered unsafe. "We learned that there were some Woodside Elementary School students taking a field trip to the general store, and a group of pelotons… rode past them in an unsafe way," Jen said.

Town staff said the circulation committee will discuss the incidents and that San Mateo County sheriff bike-patrol officers have been briefed. The manager noted enforcement options depend on whether a formal bike lane exists, but staff said it may coordinate targeted officer placement near schools and key locations as a precaution.

What’s next: the circulation committee will review reported incidents, staff will coordinate with the sheriff's bike patrol on potential targeted deployments, and staff will share any recommended changes or enforcement options with council and the public.