New 75 mph e-bikes are among those targeted in new Santa Barbara ordinance up for a vote

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – There's been no fast way to slow down the rapid spread of high speed e-bikes, but lately the dangerous riding incidents reported around pedestrians have Santa Barbara leaders launching a plan to try to slow the risks.

Beyond the most common e-bikes on the road, many purchased around the time of the pandemic and beyond during riding surge, there's a newer bike that's emerged.

Among them is a Surron. It is capable of going up to 75 miles per hour according to the manufacturer and through online video testing. There's even an additional modification that is said to increase that number another five miles per hour.

Monday on State Street three of those bikes were in motion according to Santa Barbara City staff members. The riders at times were reckless, popping wheelies and accelerating into areas where the public was walking in the promenade and other bikes were going through in a passive way.

There was at least one near collision with at least one pedestrian, missing a crash by inches, during a stunt move involving a wheeling for nearly a half a block at a rapid speed.

Social media comments indicate a general outcry for more safety enforcement, and some remarks reflect the mood of shoppers to avoid the area altogether. That could result in economic losses.

The Santa Barbara City Council  has changes to its ordinance pertaining to bicycles up for a discussion Tuesday. It includes citations, an educational component and the option to impound a bike by someone illegally riding it.

Some of the wording includes: "clarifying language that tricks or wheelies constitute riding in an unsafe manner when pedestrians or vehicles are present."

Some of the regulars downtown are speaking out on what they see.

John Holcome said he wanted to see action a long time ago. "They've waited too long. They've just completely ignored the issue. And I sure wish I knew all the, injuries because a lot of people ain't going to report them, even though it's just a minor bruise and verbal assaults, you know, by the bicyclists from all ages. "

There's also been a fear factor. Emilio Antinucci said, "there are people that get afraid right?  They don't know what you're doing. First of all, it is risky. It is more risky than for sure going slow and and not wheeling. Right. But even if you have a good, like, control of the bike and you're just basically upsetting other people and scaring them off. So it's wrong."

The safety issues also apply to similar e-type wheeled vehicles.

The city report says is a provision to impound bicycles and electronic bicycles from underaged riders who are operating in an unsafe manner and return the impounded bikes to their parents. There is also an option to attend a diversion program for youth about bike safety similar to the programs offered for those caught illegally using drugs and alcohol as a minor.

Other amendments include:

Definitions for bicycles, electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, motorized scooters, e-conveyances, and electric skateboards.

• Defines what constitutes operating in an unsafe manner and provides examples of unsafe ridership behaviors. This section is applicable to any public street, public right of way, sidewalk, bicycle path, lane, or trail.
• Requires riders to use bike lanes where possible, and on streets without bike lanes, to ride close to the right curb or edge of roadway.
• Requires riders to ride in single file, and not more than two abreast except on paths or parts of a roadway set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
• Requires the yielding to pedestrians when emerging from an alley, driveway, bicycle path, building or otherwise approaching upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area.
• Prohibits the riding of a bicycle or electric bicycle on any sidewalk except while an active threat to personal or public safety is present.
• Requires the wearing of properly strapped helmets for all riders under 18 years of age and that all bicycles or electric bicycles have reflectors affixed to both the front and back wheels and on the rear of the bike.
• Prohibits the operation of a bicycle or electric bicycle on a roadway unless it is equipped with a brake that will enable the operator to make one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
• Prohibits the parking of a bicycle or e-conveyance in a manner that obstructs a sidewalk or pedestrian path.
• Stipulates that any violation of the ordinance is punishable as an administrative citation with the fine not exceeding $100 for the first violation, $200 for a second violation, and $500 for each additional violation within a one-year period.