To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JOE HOFFMAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A FOLLOW UP REPORT ON E-BIKE USE IN THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In August 2024, the City Council requested a six-month update on electric bicycle (e-bike) use in the City. Specifically, the Police Department was asked to provide a report on the status of e-bike enforcement actions, community complaints, traffic collision data, and the Department’s continued community outreach efforts.
BACKGROUND
The increased use and popularity of e-bikes in Redondo Beach has brought new opportunities and challenges, particularly in terms of safety, regulation, and education. In Redondo Beach, efforts to address these challenges have been continuous and ongoing. These efforts have ranged from proactive enforcement of e-bike laws, to community outreach and educational programs aimed at fostering safer riding practices. This report summarizes the key activities, statistics, and future considerations regarding e-bike safety and enforcement in Redondo Beach.
Enforcement and Citations
From August 2024 to March 2025, the Redondo Beach Police Department responded to approximately 150 calls for service involving e-bikes, resulting in citations, directed enforcement details, and the impounding of illegal electric motorcycles. The majority of the complaints included e-bike riders who failed to stop at posted stop sighs, red light traffic control signals, and otherwise disobeyed the rules of the road.
Additionally, the Redondo Beach Traffic Unit organized a collaborative e-bike enforcement detail with traffic officers from the Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and El Segundo Police Departments. That detail concentrated enforcement efforts around Redondo Union High School. A total of 55 enforcement stops were made, resulting in citations or warnings. Separately, riders were acknowledged for proper e-bike riding and were given gift cards from local businesses in recognition of their safe and responsible behavior.
E-Bike Collisions and Safety Concerns
Over the reported period, four collisions involving e-bikes were recorded. These incidents resulted in minor injuries to e-bike riders and included violations of CVC 21801 (Failure to Yield Right of Way at an Intersection), CVC 22517 (Unsafe Door Opening), and CVC 21802(a) (Failure to Stop and Yield to Other Vehicles). Additionally, one collision occurred due to the rider losing control of the e-bike, leading to an injury. While there were relatively few incidents, they underscore the potential hazards associated with e-bike use, particularly among inexperienced or reckless riders. These collisions serve as a stark reminder of the importance of rider education, enforcement, and safety awareness.
Public Safety Calls and Juvenile Recklessness
Since September 2024, the Police Department has received numerous calls for service concerning reckless riding by juvenile e-bike operators. These reports typically involve minors operating e-bikes in an unsafe or unlawful manner, often riding on sidewalks, failing to yield to pedestrians, or disregarding traffic signals and stop signs. These incidents reflect a growing concern among parents, school staff, and the community about the risks posed by juvenile riders who may not fully understand the importance of road safety and responsible riding.
E-Bike Training and the Redondo Beach Unified School District Sticker Program
A major initiative to address these concerns has been the implementation of Redondo Beach Unified School District’s (RBUSD) e-bike training program. Offered at Parras Middle School and Adams Middle School, the program provides hands-on safety training for students, followed by the issuance of an official e-bike sticker to attendees upon completion of the course. To date, 370 stickers have been distributed, signaling that those students have successfully completed the training. The schools involved also track violations related to e-bike use, and, to date, 43 notices have been issued, primarily for riding e-bikes on campus, which is prohibited.
Community Outreach and Engagement
The Police Department has also invested in several community outreach initiatives designed to promote bicycle and e-bike safety. One of the Department’s key initiatives was the Bike Rodeo, which took place on September 7, 2024 and again on March 29, 2025. These free events, which focus on educating kids from kindergarten through 12th grade on bike safety, saw participation from 85 children, ranging from age 4 to 13. The event provided a fun, hands-on learning experience for children, helping to instill safe riding practices early on.
Additionally, the gift card program encourages safe riding behavior by offering incentives to children seen riding their bikes responsibly. This initiative has been well-received and serves as a positive reinforcement for safe behavior.
Further, the Redondo Beach Police Department participated in several events throughout 2024, including the Redondo Union High School Work Program presentation on bicycle and pedestrian safety, and the Immanuel Lutheran Public Safety Fair. These events provided additional opportunities to engage with the community, educate residents, and raise awareness regarding e-bike safety.
In March 2025, California State Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi hosted a Beach Cities E-Bike Town Hall Meeting at Parras Middle School. The town hall meeting updated the community about the latest efforts in e-bike education, infrastructure, and enforcement efforts both locally and across California. A question-and-answer session included representatives from the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, South Bay Bike Coalition, and representatives from local police departments, including the Redondo Beach Police Department.
Legislative Developments: Assembly Bill 2234
The potential impact of the new state legislation, particularly Assembly Bill 2234, must also be considered in the context of e-bike safety. The Bill, which amends Vehicle Code 21213, is being piloted in San Diego County and introduces stricter regulations for e-bike riders, including:
• A ban on children under the age of 12 from riding e-bikes.
• A requirement for individuals without a California Driver’s License (CDL) to present a valid ID card and a skills waiver issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) before operating an e-bike.
This legislation may serve as a model for other counties, including Los Angeles County, as the State grapples with enhanced measures to ensure safe communities despite the growing popularity of e-bikes.
The City’s work undertaken from August 2024 through March 2025 has led to significant strides in addressing e-bike safety through enforcement, education, and community outreach. Moving forward, the continued expansion of these efforts, along with the implementation of state-level legislative measures, will be essential in ensuring the safety and well-being of all e-bike riders in Redondo Beach.
COORDINATION
The Police Department coordinated the preparation of this report.
FISCAL IMPACT
The enforcement and outreach efforts currently conducted by the Police Department are funded through the Police Department’s annual operating budget. The Bicycle Rodeo safety training course was provided by funding from the Office of Traffic Safety Grant.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager