City of Yucaipa pushing for permanent ordinance to curtail e-bike complaints

The city of Yucaipa is trying to get a better grip on the growing number of complaints about electric bike riders through a permanent ordinance.

E-bikes have grown in popularity over years, especially among students who ride around town in large groups, according to the city. But that’s where the problems begin, with these groups sometimes blocking roadways and prompting police pursuits. Authorities say they receive about 20 calls a month about this problem.

“We’ve had about three pursuits so far in April,” a Yucaipa Police Department spokesperson said during this week’s city council meeting. “During those pursuits, we had our helicopter overhead because without it, it makes it very difficult for us to maneuver where they go.”

The city addressed the issue during this week’s meeting, four months after adopting an emergency ordinance regulating the use of e-bikes in public areas. That 10-month ordinance states no person shall ride a bicycle or e-bike in an unsafe manner, including going against traffic, racing and failing to follow traffic signs.

Now, the city says it is drafting a permanent ordinance on what e-bike users can and can’t do that will go into effect later this year.

City Manager Dr. Sean M. Moore said police have beefed up patrol, especially in the evenings, to keep watch over all riders and also to educate them.

“They have to obey our traffic and rule regulations, so they don’t end up in trouble,” Moore said. “They can also have their e-bikes impounded if they don’t obey the rules.”

NBCLA spokes with several riders who didn’t want to be identified. They say it’s a few people causing the problems that are giving all riders a bad rap.

“We need more parent awareness,” Highland resident Nick Chavez said. “Growing up, we knew don’t block cars for your safety and others. We knew that, and parents also gave you rules.”

The Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District told NBCLA on Thursday that it’s partnering with the city and Yucaipa Police Department on a program that will require students have permits in order to ride on campus next school year.

“Student safety is our top priority, and that starts with the excellent working relationship we share with the City of Yucaipa and the Yucaipa Police Department,” a statement from the district read, in part.