For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases are defined as follows:
"Bicycle"
is a device upon which a person may ride, propelled exclusively by human power, except as provided in Section 312.5, through a belt, chain, or gears, and having one or more wheels.
"Bicycle lane"
also referred to as "Class II bikeways," which provides a restricted right-of-way designated for the exclusive or semi-exclusive use of bicycles with through travel by motor vehicles or pedestrians prohibited, but with vehicle parking and crossflows by pedestrians and motorists permitted.
"Bicycle path"
also referred to as "Class I bikeways," which provide a completely separated right-of-way designated for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians with crossflows by motorists minimized.
"E-conveyance"
means any electric bicycle, electric scooter, electric skateboard, moped, motor-driven cycle, motorized scooter, pocket bike or other device propelled by an electric motor and designed to convey one or more people.
"Electric bicycle" or "e-bike"
is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 312.5(a). There are three categories for e-bikes.
(1) 
A "Class 1 electric bicycle," or "low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
(2) 
A "Class 2 electric bicycle," or "low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
(3) 
A "Class 3 electric bicycle," or "speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour, and equipped with a speedometer.
"Enforcement officer"
means any peace officer, or other city employee designated by the city manager authorized to administer or process violations related to this chapter.
"Highway"
is a way or place of whatever nature, maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. "Highway" includes street.
"Moped" or "motorized bicycle"
is a two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy, and an automatic transmission and a motor that produces less than four gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.
"Motor-driven cycle"
is any motorcycle with a motor that displaces less than 150 cubic centimeters. A motor-driven cycle does not include a motorized bicycle, as defined in Section 406 of the California Vehicle Code.
"Motorized scooter"
shall have the same definition as that of California Vehicle Code Section 407.5(a).
"Pocket bike"
is a two-wheeled motorized device that has a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, and that is not designed or manufactured for highway use. "Pocket bike" does not include an off-highway motorcycle, as defined in Section 436 of the California Vehicle Code.
"Roadway"
is that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
"Sidewalk"
is that portion of a highway, other than the roadway, set apart by curbs, barriers, markings, or other delineation for pedestrian travel.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)
This chapter shall apply to the use of e-conveyances, in conformity with state law, and shall apply to any e-conveyance operated upon any street or sidewalk, public property or upon any public path set aside for the use of bicycles or e-conveyances. The provisions contained herein are enacted pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21206 pertaining to the regulation of the operation, use and equipment of bicycles, and are not intended to conflict in any way with the provisions thereof.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)
A. 
No person shall operate an e-conveyance in an unsafe manner on a public roadway, highway, sidewalk, park, or private property open to the public.
B. 
Unsafe manner means a rider violating any provision of the Los Alamitos Municipal Code, California Vehicle Code, or other existing law. An unsafe manner can also be defined as operating the conveyance in such a way as to constitute a danger to the operator, a passenger, other motorists, other riders, or pedestrians in the area.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)
It shall be unlawful for any person operating an e-conveyance to fail to obey the instructions of official traffic-control signs and other traffic-control devices applicable to vehicles or bicycles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, crossing guard, construction worker, or other person responsible for directing traffic.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate an e-conveyance while wearing headphones, earbuds or any other device which obstructs, or covers the ear canal.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)
A. 
A person under the age of 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet when riding an e-conveyance on a sidewalk, bicycle path, bicycle trail, public roadway, or highway regardless of class.
B. 
All persons operating or riding as a passenger on a Class 3 electric bicycle shall comply with Section 21213 of the California Vehicle Code regarding the wearing of a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)
A. 
Any person operating a bicycle or e-conveyance upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following situations:
1. 
When overtaking and passing a bicycle, e-conveyance or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
2. 
When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
3. 
When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. "Substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane.
B. 
Persons riding e-conveyances on a roadway or sidewalk shall not ride more than two abreast.
C. 
The operator of an e-conveyance shall travel in the same direction as vehicles that are required to be driven upon the roadway; regardless of whether or not the operator is in the roadway. This section also applies to any sidewalk less than eight feet in width, unless there is no accompanying sidewalk on the opposite side of the street, or wherever posted signs prohibit such behavior.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)
No person shall operate a bicycle or e-conveyance at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property. No e-conveyance operator shall travel over 28 miles per hour on a sidewalk, bicycle path, bicycle trail, public roadway, or highway regardless within the city.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)
The operator of an e-conveyance emerging from an alley, driveway, bicycle path, building or otherwise approaching upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area shall yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians on such sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering a roadway, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles or bicycles on the roadway.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)
No person shall leave an e-conveyance lying on its side on any sidewalk, nor park an e-conveyance in an area open to pedestrian access except in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic. No person shall park an e-conveyance in a public highway in the area designated by appropriate signs.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)
A. 
Subject to the restrictions enumerated herein, e-conveyances are generally permitted on any sidewalk, bicycle path, bicycle trail, public roadway, or highway as permitted within the city.
B. 
Riding on Sidewalks. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a Class 3 electric bicycle or electric scooter on any sidewalk within the city.
C. 
No person shall operate an e-conveyances upon a sidewalk within a business district, upon sidewalks adjacent to any public-school building when school is in session, recreation center when in use, church during services, over any pedestrian overcrossing or other area designated as prohibited by posted signs, including temporary signs installed for events.
D. 
Whenever any person is riding an e-conveyance upon a sidewalk, bicycle path, or bicycle trail, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing pedestrians.
E. 
No person shall ride or operate an e-conveyance upon any playground, park or public school property not designated as a bicycle path or route unless specifically posted as authorized for such use.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)
It shall be unlawful to operate an e-conveyance, within the city, without all of the equipment requirements contained in California Vehicle Code Section 21201, and this chapter.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)
A. 
Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction.
B. 
Responsibility of Parent(s). The parent or legal guardian of any minor child under the age of 18 shall not authorize or knowingly permit any minor child to violate any of the provisions of this chapter.
C. 
Administrative Citation.
1. 
In the discretion of the enforcement officer, any person violating the provisions of this chapter may, in lieu of an infraction penalty, be issued an administrative citation in accordance with Chapter 1.24 of this code in the following amounts:
a. 
A fine of $100 for a first violation of this chapter.
b. 
A fine of $200 for a second violation of this chapter within one year from the date of the first violation.
c. 
A fine of $500 for each additional violation of this chapter within one year from the date of the first violation.
2. 
Upon issuance of an administrative citation, an enforcement officer, in their sole discretion, may allow a person who violates any provision(s) of this chapter to complete an approved safety diversion program within 120 days, at the violator's expense, as assigned by the enforcement officer. Upon successful completion of an approved safety diversion program, the administrative citation issued pursuant to this chapter will be dismissed. When the violator issued an administrative citation is under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the violator to attend the approved safety diversion program. The city may establish a safety diversion program fee reflecting the city's personnel, administrative, and programmatic costs, which shall be established by resolution of the city council. The city manager is authorized to develop additional regulations regarding the safety diversion program authorized by this section, not in conflict with this chapter.
D. 
This chapter shall not preclude or prohibit an enforcement officer from issuing a misdemeanor or infraction citation to a court of competent jurisdiction for any violation of the California Vehicle Code or other offense committed while operating an e-conveyance.
E. 
If a person under the age of 18 is found in violation of any provisions of this chapter, and no parent or legal guardian is present, and the unsafe manner in which the regulated mobility device was operated constitutes an immediate danger to the health and safety of the juvenile operator or to members of the public, the enforcement officer may take immediate possession of the e-conveyance and transport the device for safekeeping to the Los Alamitos police department facility; thereafter, the e-conveyance shall be released by the Los Alamitos police department to the legal owner of the device and/or to the parent or legal guardian of the minor violator.
(Ord. 2025-01, 2/18/2025)