PACIFIC GROVE – The Pacific Grove City Council asked city staff to return at a future meeting with additional information and options related to regulating e-bikes and other electric mobility devices in the city.
During the council meeting Wednesday, the council discussed existing city code and how it applies to e-bikes, bicycles and other devices on the coastal recreational trail, in parks and in other public spaces. The discussion focused on enforcement challenges, safety concerns and whether current regulations reflect current usage.
Currently, e-bikes are now allowed in Perkins’ Park, Lovers Point Park, Pacific Grove Golf Links, El Carmelo Cemetery, and the property ocean-side of Ocean View Boulevard to 17th Street. The exception is on the paved portion of the recreational trail.
Residents raised concerns about people riding e-bikes at high speeds on the recreational trail, creating conflicts with pedestrians and other cyclists.
City Manager Matthew Mogensen said he has heard from residents and business owners about concerns of people going high speeds or doing tricks and maneuvering erratically on the trail.
Some spoke during public comment about kids often riding fast or traveling in large groups that disrupt that trail traffic. Council members also shared concerns.
“These aren’t tourists, these are the same guys down there — it’s people who have gotten used to it and use it as a personal roadway,” Council member Tina Rau said.
While there are regulations in place like e-bikes not being allowed to go over 12mph, or for people to only travel two abreast as to not block the other side of the trail, residents say violations are not being enforced.
Mogensen said enforcement is difficult because conditions on the trail change throughout the day.
“There might be times when the trail is more congested than others,” Mogensen said. “It’s a little bit more difficult for the most part.”
Police Chief Casey Day said most violations related to bicycles and e-bikes are low-level infractions, and that he had to consider public safety in comparison to the violation.
“Is it worth the chase, right — is liability, is the danger to the public, is it worth catching the suspect in that moment,” Day said. “It’s an infraction, and the days of chasing somebody over a simple infraction does not bode well when you consider the risk of pursuit driving, especially through a small, congested community such as Pacific Grove where the pedestrian population is very dense.”
Day added the issue extends beyond the recreational trail and includes activity in neighborhoods and areas near schools. He said the police department has worked with the school district on education efforts related to safety and behavior.
City staff reported that they will return with more detailed information, including regulatory options, potentially bringing in other committees and how other jurisdictions are handling similar issues.
