Tustin council approves first reading of ordinance to regulate e‑bikes and mobility devices

The Tustin City Council introduced Ordinance 1576 on May 5, with a staff‑recommended wording change to clarify a provision restricting more than two bicycles or regulated mobility devices side‑by‑side.

City Attorney (reporting the revision) read the updated subsection as amended: “operating with more than 2 bicycles and or regulated mobility devices side by side,” and recommended the council introduce and conduct first reading by title only and schedule adoption at the next regular meeting.

Councilmember Fink, who pulled the ordinance for discussion, said public commenters raised concerns about sidewalk speed limits and side‑by‑side riding; he urged enforcement discretion and said the ordinance should be paired with safe pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle spaces. “Our police department is going to be enforcing this with a fair amount of discretion,” he said.

After brief discussion about enforcing speed limits in school and park zones, and the practical need for bike lanes and other safe spaces, Councilmember Fink moved to adopt staff’s recommendation and the motion was seconded. The council voted to introduce Ordinance 1576, first reading by title only, and to schedule adoption at the council’s next regular meeting (vote recorded as 5–0).