For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings as defined in this section:
"Bicycle"
means and includes any device upon which a person may ride, which is propelled by human power through a system of belts, chains or gears, and which has wheels at least twenty inches in diameter and a frame size of at least fourteen inches.
"Electric bicycle" or "E-Bike"
shall have the same meaning as set forth in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5, as amended from time to time.
"Motorized bicycle"
shall have the meaning as set forth in California Vehicle Code Section 406(a), as amended form time to time.
"Other electric or motorized conveyance"
shall mean any such similar one-, two-, or three-wheeled devices used for conveyance that is powered by electricity or other power source but may also be designed to be powered by human propulsion.
(Ord. 1714, 4/8/2025)
(a) 
Any person riding or operating any electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance in the city must comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Unsafe Operation Prohibited. No person shall ride or operate an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance recklessly or otherwise in an unsafe manner on any public roadway, highway, sidewalk, park, or private property open to the public. "Unsafe manner" shall mean operating in such a way as that violates any provision of state law or the city's municipal code or in such a manner or at such a speed as to cause or threaten to cause injury to himself or herself or to others, to generate loud or unreasonable noise, to create an obstruction or to present a hazard to the free use of public property by pedestrians or motorists, or to cause or threaten to cause damage to public property.
(2) 
Direction of Travel. The operator of an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance shall travel in the same direction as vehicles are required to be driven upon the roadway, regardless of whether or not the operator is in the roadway or in a bike lane.
(3) 
Yield to Pedestrians and Vehicles. The operator of an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance shall yield to vehicles and pedestrians as required by the California Vehicle Code.
(4) 
Signs. The operator of an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance shall obey official posted signs, including, but not limited to, traffic control signs and parking signs.
(5) 
Speed Limit. No operator of an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance shall travel over twenty-five miles per hour on any public highway, trail, path, park, or other public property within the city where electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, or any other electric or motorized conveyances are permitted to be driven.
(6) 
Passenger Restrictions. No person riding or operating an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance shall transport another person upon an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance unless such passenger is seated upon a seat attached to the vehicle in a safe manner. No person shall be a passenger on an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance unless such passenger is seated upon a seat attached to the vehicle in a safe manner.
(7) 
Helmet Requirement. All operators and passengers under eighteen years of age shall wear a helmet properly strapped while riding or operating an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance, as specified in California Vehicle Code Section 21212.
(Ord. 1714, 4/8/2025)
Violations of this chapter may be subject to any and all penalties, legal remedies, or actions permitted under this code, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) 
Violation of any provision of this chapter may be punishable by administrative citation and fine, pursuant to the procedures outlined in Chapter 1.15 of this code. In the event a minor is cited for violating this section, administrative citations may be issued to both, or either, the minor and the minor's parent or guardian. Administrative fines shall be issued pursuant to the fine schedule set out below:
(1) 
An administrative fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for the first violation.
(2) 
An administrative fine not exceeding two hundred dollars for a second violation within one year of the first violation.
(3) 
An administrative fine not exceeding five hundred dollars for each additional violation within one year of the first violation.
(b) 
Violation of any provision of this chapter may be punishable as an infraction, pursuant to the procedures outlined in Section 1.04.025 of this code.
(Ord. 1714, 4/8/2025)
(a) 
In the event an adult is cited for violating this section for a violation that endangers the safety of others, the city officer issuing the citation may impound the electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance to the Laguna Beach Police Department. The impounded electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance shall be released upon payment of the impound fee consistent with Laguna Beach Police Department impound fee schedule.
(b) 
In the event a minor is cited for violating this section for a violation that endangers the safety of others, the city officer issuing the citation may impound the electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance to the Laguna Beach Police Department. The impounded electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance shall be released to the minor's parent, guardian, or other responsible adult upon payment of the impound fee consistent with Laguna Beach Police Department impound fee schedule.
(c) 
An electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or any other electric or motorized conveyance impounded to the Laguna Beach Police Department under this chapter shall be considered abandoned if not collected pursuant to this section after a period in excess of ninety days. Abandoned electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, or any other electric or motorized conveyances may be disposed of as restricted by Civil Code Sections 2080.1, 2080.2, 2080.3, 2080.4 and 2080.5.
(Ord. 1714, 4/8/2025)
(a) 
Public Agency Personnel. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, or any other section of this code, city and public agency personnel may operate regulated mobility devices or other vehicles at any place in the city in the performance of their official duties.
(b) 
Mobility Devices. This chapter is not intended to apply to or otherwise restrict regulated mobility devices used in a safe manner by physically disabled persons as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. Sections 12101 et seq.).
(Ord. 1714, 4/8/2025)