It is the purpose of this chapter to regulate the operation and use of motorized bicycles, motorized scooters, electric bicycles, and similar vehicles, as defined, in order to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare, and to prevent damage to plants, wildlife, wildlife habitat, water resources, historic sites, soil, and public property.
(Ord. 5451 § 2, 2024)
As used in this chapter:
(A) 
"Bikeway"
shall mean all facilities that provide primarily for, and promote, bicycle travel, as defined by California Streets and Highways Code Section 890.4, including bike paths and shared use paths, bike lanes, bike routes, cycle tracks, and separated bikeways.
(B) 
"Electric bicycle"
shall have the same meaning as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5.
(C) 
"Motorized bicycle" and "moped"
shall have the same meaning as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 406(a).
(D) 
"Motorized scooter"
shall have the same meaning as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 407.5 and shall include both electric motorized scooters, as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 407.5(a), and motorized scooters powered by sources other than electric power, as described in California Vehicle Code Section 406(b).
(E) 
"Sidewalk"
shall mean any paved path designed for pedestrian use and set apart from any nearby road by curbs, barriers, markings, or other delineation.
(F) 
"Similar vehicle"
shall mean a mode of personal transportation, including but not limited to "Onewheels," and electric skateboards or "e-skateboards," that is all of the following:
(1) 
Similar to a means of conveyance that is normally human-powered;
(2) 
Propelled by motors powered by any means other than human-power; and
(3) 
That is not an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, or motorized scooter.
(Ord. 5451 § 2, 2024)
(A) 
For the purposes of this chapter, "operation" of an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, moped, motorized scooter, or similar vehicle does not include "walking" those vehicles; that is, moving an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, moped, motorized scooter, or similar vehicle while dismounted from that vehicle by pushing, pulling, or carrying it without reliance on propulsion by its motor.
(B) 
Except as provided in SCCC § 9.54.040, the following restrictions shall apply to the operation of electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, mopeds, motorized scooters, and similar devices:
(1) 
No person shall operate an electric bicycle, motorized bicycle, moped, motorized scooter, or similar vehicle on any sidewalk within the County's jurisdiction, unless that sidewalk is also a bikeway.
(2) 
No person shall operate any motorized bicycle or moped on any bikeway in the County's jurisdiction, unless that bikeway is within or adjacent to a roadway.
(Ord. 5451 § 2, 2024)
The provisions of SCCC § 9.54.030 shall not apply to the operation of electric bicycles within the following areas:
(A) 
On sidewalks where no pedestrians are present and where no bikeway exists along the route of travel.
(B) 
On sidewalks authorized for electric bicycle usage by the Director of the Community Development and Infrastructure Department and where such authorization is posted by signage.
(Ord. 5451 § 2, 2024)