Buena Park City Council members recently authorized city staff to develop specific ordinance language concerning the use of electric bikes and other electric mobility devices on city sidewalks. This action, taken at a recent City Council meeting, paves the way for a future vote on regulations that would permit riders under 18 years of age to operate these devices on sidewalks, subject to a 10-mile-per-hour speed limit and a requirement to yield to pedestrians.
Currently, city law broadly prohibits all “electric mobility devices,” which include e-bikes, e-skateboards, and motorized scooters, from city sidewalks, drains, fields, gyms, playgrounds, and other public property. However, an existing allowance permits individuals under 18 to ride on sidewalks, provided they do so safely. Additionally, the existing code mandates that these devices not be ridden in an “unsafe manner” on roads, highways, or bike paths, specifically prohibiting swerving around traffic or pedestrians, riding against traffic, or exceeding 25 miles per hour.
City officials indicated that the proposed 10-mile-per-hour speed limit on sidewalks is intended to discourage younger riders from opting for the street to achieve higher speeds. Sergeant Roger Plumlee of the Buena Park Police Department articulated this rationale at the meeting, stating that the proposed speed limit "gives them a little more speed so we’re not encouraging street use."
Councilmember Carlos Franco also addressed the issue at the meeting, noting, “We decided to explore our capabilities of going faster. And that’s what our youth is doing. That doesn’t change by generation. What we need to do is set some rules to keep them safe, and to keep pedestrians walking safely.”
The city’s consideration of these changes comes as Orange County cities continue to address how to best regulate e-bikes amid ongoing infrastructure development for safer riding. In July, staff initially presented a potential sidewalk speed limit, but council members requested a review of neighboring cities’ regulations before proceeding.
At the recent meeting, Sergeant Plumlee provided a comparative analysis of regulations in Fullerton, Cypress, La Palma, and Anaheim. Fullerton and Anaheim permit e-bikes on sidewalks, with Fullerton imposing a 5-mile-per-hour speed limit and Anaheim limiting use to posted areas; both cities require riders to yield to pedestrians. Cypress adheres to statewide regulations without specific municipal codes for e-bike use, while La Palma prohibits unsafe riding and bans e-motorized vehicles on sidewalks. Based on this review, staff recommended adopting a 10-mile-per-hour sidewalk speed limit for those under 18, along with clear language to establish pedestrian right-of-way.
Mayor Connor Traut highlighted the importance of the city’s proactive stance, stating, “I see that the legal protections that this can have for folks that are injured, and the city’s taking an active role to protect future potential victims.”
Beyond regulation, the Buena Park Police Department is also collaborating with local school districts on educational outreach initiatives. Sergeant Plumlee confirmed that the department is "working with educators who try to develop a plan to continue the education side, so we’re not strictly focused on enforcement." This approach mirrors efforts in other Orange County cities, such as Huntington Beach, which has introduced an e-bike riding training course for youth and parents. This course can serve to waive a citation and is required for students bringing e-bikes to Huntington Beach schools. Meanwhile, other OC cities including Yorba Linda, Irvine, and Placentia have established specific ordinances to address reckless riding.
The Buena Park City Council’s recent action marks a step toward formalizing new rules for e-bike use on sidewalks. The specific language is now set to be developed by city staff and will be presented for a formal vote at a subsequent meeting.