The Fullerton City Council has taken steps towards implementing new regulations for e-bikes and electric scooters, following the release of the 2023-2024 Orange County Grand Jury report, titled *E-Bikes: Friend or Foe*. The report highlighted the challenges posed by the rising popularity of e-bikes, which have seen a 269% increase in sales from 2019 to 2022, with over one million units sold annually.
The Grand Jury found a lack of uniform regulations across Orange County’s 34 cities, leading to inconsistent enforcement and confusion among the public. It recommended that local governments develop specific policies to clarify rules for e-bike use.
In response, the Fullerton Police Department, working in conjunction with the ActiveTransportation Committee, proposed updates to the Municipal Code aimed at improving safety on sidewalks, bike paths, and roadways. The new regulations would penalize unsafe operations of motorized wheeled conveyances, including e-bikes. Key provisions include prohibiting reckless maneuvers, disobeying traffic signals, and operating at speeds exceeding 10 miles per hour on sidewalks or 15 miles per hour on paved trails.
At the City Council meeting on February 3, 2026, Councilmember Nicholas Dunlap opposed the regulations, advocating for a complete ban on e-bikes on sidewalks. The council’s initial vote passed 4-1, with a second approval required at a future meeting for the new rules to become law, effective 30 days thereafter.
The regulations will also apply to electric scooters, which are already restricted from sidewalks per California law. The Fullerton Police Department anticipates that these updates will enhance enforcement capabilities and ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike.
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