Southern California City Proposes E-Bike Responsibility for Parents

E-Bikes and Parental Responsibility

A city in Orange County has a plan to hold parents responsible for damages and crimes committed by e-bikers as emails about their bad behavior mount. The Mayor of San Clemente said the crackdown on e-bikes is necessary because unsafe riders are creating dangerous situations on the streets. It’s just that the volume of emails I get on that issue … they’re increasing, Mayor Victor Cabral said during a City Council meeting on Tuesday.

Community Safety Concerns

• Recent vandalism at the Great Park in Irvine by suspected e-bikers.
• A firework thrown into a crowd in Hermosa Beach.
• Residents report unsafe riding, including wheelies and ignoring traffic signs.

A new ordinance still in its early stages would give sheriff's deputies more tools to go after the violators and hold parents responsible. “I’m just suggesting that the parents, whatever offense the child is involved in … that the parents are responsible for that,” one speaker said during the council meeting. The ordinance is expected to come up for a final reading in the near future.