GALT, CA (MPG) - During its Oct. 7 meeting, the Galt City Council unanimously approved an urgency ordinance regulating the use of e-bikes, e-scooters and similar motorized devices.

The ordinance, “Bicycles, Electric Bicycles, Motorized Scooters and Electrically Motorized Boards,” was introduced in response to growing safety concerns involving these vehicles, especially since the start of the school year.

Interim city attorney Frank Splendorio said that the urgency ordinance takes effect immediately and requires only one council approval.

The new rules limit speeds to 20 mph; require helmets, lights and reflectors; and prohibit unsafe behaviors such as performing wheelies, swerving around traffic or stop signs and riding in restricted areas. Violations can result in fines, penalties or vehicle impoundment.

Splendorio said the ordinance’s urgency stems from the need to protect public’s peace, health and safety.

“This is an emerging issue that not just the city of Galt is dealing with but many cities especially as school year has started around California with high speeds and unsafe use of these,” said Splendorio.

Galt Mayor Shawn Farmer thanked city staff for quickly bringing the ordinance forward, noting that the issue has been a concern among council members, residents, police officers and school officials. He emphasized that the intent is education, not restriction.

“We are not by any means, as the council, discouraging the use of these devices,” Farmer said. “I think it’s the future and I think it’s a great way for people to get around and hopefully more people can use them, including adults, and we can get away from traffic congestion.”

Traffic Officer Greg Steele said that enforcement will depend largely on officer discretion. Minor behavior away from traffic likely wouldn’t warrant enforcement but dangerous actions, such as weaving into oncoming traffic, would.

“If they see a 12-year-old riding a wheelie and there are no cars around and he’s just having a good time, that is certainly not an enforcement action I would feel comfortable taking,” Steele said.

However, Steele said that he recalled seeing a boy earlier that day riding into oncoming lanes and nearly crashing.

Using the municipal code is a more effective way to correct minors’ behavior than referring them to the county traffic system, according to Steele.

Depending on the situation, Farmer said, the ordinance gives officers flexibility in how they can enforce it.

“There’s a lot of language in here but really, much of it comes down to discretion,” Farmer said. “What we’re trying to do is give officers the tools they need to enforce the rules when necessary.”

Farmer shared that a local school bus driver had contacted him after a near accident caused by a negligent bike rider forced the bus to stop abruptly, resulting in a student in a wheelchair having minor injuries.

“This is becoming a big deal people,” Farmer said. “There have literally been cities where people, pedestrians have been killed.”

The city wants to be proactive before any kind of accidents involving those kinds of vehicles happens, Farmer added.

“We are trying to be as proactive as possible and not reactive afterwards something bad happens,” Farmer said. “I support this as it’s written, I think it’s great; I’m glad that we’re taking a lead where other cities are struggling to get things in place.”

Councilmember Tim Reed also shared his observations of unsafe riding near schools and the importance behind this ordinance.

“I agree, it’s becoming a bigger issue, and just driving to and from dropping my kid off at Liberty (Ranch High School) and all I do is stay in Marengo (Road),” Reed said. “It’s like playing frogger sometimes trying not to hit some of these kids that decide that they’re the ones that rule the road and not the big vehicle that we’re driving.”

Police Chief Brian Kalinowski said the department began addressing the issue last spring by issuing written warnings, contacting parents and conducting educational outreach. So far, officers have issued 36 warnings and highlighted the department’s efforts to educate residents on e-bike safety via social media.

The department has also held 40 school presentations, reaching more than 1,700 students, according to Kalinowski.

“This staff (police department) has done incredible work to launch this in the month of September and get everybody on board and incrementally ramp up the process through education, warnings, formal warnings and ultimately citations,” Kalinowski said.

Under the municipal code, first-time violations carry a $100 fine, with repeat offenses within a year ranging from $200 to $500. Kalinowski said that officers have discretion to refer youth to a diversion program emphasizing education over punishment.

“Obviously everything is not going to result in a citation,” Kalinowski said. “The idea here is to educate and provide the enforcement that is necessary but not make it a revenue stream issue.”

Kalinowski also noted that the department purchased helmets for those who face financial hardship, allowing riders to comply with safety requirements.

Although Galt is ahead of nearby cities such as Elk Grove and Lodi in establishing local enforcement for e-bikes and e-scooters, other cities in California, including Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and San Buenaventura, have also implemented similar regulations in recent years.