GALT, CA (MPG) - With the rise of micromobility options such as electric bikes and scooters, cities across the U.S., including Galt, have more of these vehicles on the streets.

As their popularity grows, so does the need for clear rules. Police and lawmakers in nearby cities have already reported hazards and accidents tied to misuse or confusion over e-bike and e-scooter laws.

Folsom, for example, faced challenges this summer with youth riding unsafely, prompting safety campaigns from the police department. In Sacramento, a Sept. 6, 2024 collision between a car and an e-scooter killed two women who were riding together on a single device.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, micromobility-related injuries have increased an average of 23% annually since 2017, underscoring the risks tied to these fast-evolving forms of transportation.

Local Impact

Along with the rise of e-bikes and e-scooters, Galt has observed misuse of gas-powered bikes and electric dirt bikes, which are illegal on public roads. To stay ahead of the issue, city leaders said that their first priority is education.

In recent weeks, the Galt Police Department partnered with the Galt Joint Union Elementary School District to host workshops for families. At these sessions, officers explained riding rules for bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters. Students without helmets were given one, and parents received information on micromobility classifications and state regulations.

Officer Greg Steele, a Galt traffic enforcement officer since 2019, said the issue became more noticeable this year as residents, especially students, turned to e-bikes and scooters as a primary way to get around.

“With the start of the school year, many students found it a convenient way to get to class,” Steele said.

Steele explained that e-bikes fall into three classes based on how the motor powers the wheels (pedal-assisted or throttle bar) and the maximum speed. All e-bikes must have pedals; otherwise, they are considered off-road vehicles not allowed on public streets.

He also noted that e-bike laws, updated in January, are relatively straightforward: Riders under 18 must wear helmets and follow standard bicycle laws, such as avoiding sidewalks.

E-scooters, however, fall under older rules written in 1999 for gas-powered scooters, also known as mopeds.

California Vehicle Code 21235 requires powered scooters to have working brakes, bans riding on roads with speed limits over 25 mph, mandates helmets for minors and requires riders to hold a valid driver’s license. That means many students commuting to school on scooters are technically unlicensed drivers.

“The biggest thing I would say is the sheer volume of people riding e-scooters,” Steele said. “We’ve seen a lot of kids riding e-bikes with no helmets, especially high schoolers who are on their way to school.”

Still, Steele said, the department understands families’ perspectives.

“These kids are just trying to get to school. Nobody is going out there planning to break the law,” Steele said.

Education Over Enforcement

 

Several bicycle helmets are in the back of a Galt Police patrol car, headed to local schools for e-bike and e-scooter safety workshops teaching students and families about proper rules and safe riding. Photo courtesy of Galt Police Department

For now, the department’s campaign focuses on education rather than punishment. Aside from the educational workshops, officers are stopping riders for violations and handing out written warnings, with parents notified afterward but no fines or citations issued.

As a traffic officer, Steele has responded to vehicle and e-bike collisions.

“Thankfully, people have come out OK. Nobody’s been seriously injured but the potential is absolutely there if you’re not wearing a helmet,” Steele said.

Galt Joint Union Elementary School District Superintendent Lois Yount said that the district first noticed an uptick in helmetless riders last spring and has since seen an increase in e-bikes and e-scooters at McCaffrey Middle School.

“It has been very helpful to have the support of the police department to educate students about safety precautions and the laws related to riding bikes and scooters,” Yount said. “The goal right now is education. With the support of school resource officers, families are notified when their child is riding illegally. We want our students and community to stay safe.”

Galt Mayor Shawn Farmer told The Galt Herald that he first noticed growing concerns about e-bikes and e-scooters on neighborhood forums and felt the city needed to act proactively.

Farmer raised the issue at a CAST (Cities and Schools Together) meeting with school leaders and the police chief, which led to the launch of the workshops.

“There was a discussion about it and everybody agreed that it is an up-and-coming topic of great concern,” Farmer said. “We should be proactive on it before it gets out of hand and somebody else does get hurt.”

The bigger challenge, Farmer said, is ensuring that the community understands how to use the technology safely before hitting the road or purchasing e-bikes, e-scooters or even dirt bikes for children.

“I think most violations are occurring from kids using either Class 2 or 3 bikes that are not meant for their age group,” Farmer said. “It’s such an up-and-coming technology that most parents don’t know all the parameters.”

Looking Ahead

The city is maintaining its focus on education but is also preparing a citywide ordinance to ensure long-term structure, according to Farmer.

The proposal, now under police review, will go to the public safety committee and then to the City Council for approval. It is being handled as an “urgency ordinance,” which speeds the process as it involves public safety.

Although the council’s final decision is yet to be made, Farmer said that he supports the effort.

“I’m excited that they’re doing it and I appreciate the staff for being super proactive on this,” Farmer said, describing the draft as thorough and aimed at clarifying rules rather than issuing heavy penalties.

Traffic is one of the top concerns he hears from residents, and getting ahead of this issue shows the city is listening and planning for long-term safety, according to Farmer.

“These scooters and bikes travel as fast as cars… it’s a whole other level of concern and unsafe environment,” Farmer said. “I don’t want to see a kid get hit.”

For families interested in vehicle codes related to micromobility, information is available at bit.ly/41MEbd7.