Sacramento councilmember pushing for tougher e-bike, e-moto enforcement as injuries surge

Could tougher illegal e-bike enforcement come to Sacramento? | Sacramento Bee

Councilmember Karina Talamantes submitted a policy proposal Sept. 22 asking city staff to consider increased enforcement and penalties for illegal use of electric bikes, scooters and other two-wheeled vehicles.

Talamantes said she is pushing the proposal because of dangerous riding she had witnessed and constituents had described in emails, as well as the increase in hospital visits tied to the devices.

“I introduced common sense legislation to make our shared spaces in the city of Sacramento safer,” said Talamantes, whose district includes South Natomas, Northgate and Gardenland. “It’s a hot topic in the community, so we need to make sure that we have conversations about it publicly.”

The city pursued stricter enforcement of these types of devices in 2019, but the rules largely applied to shared-riding vehicles, such as Lime e-scooters and Jump e-bikes. Under Talamantes’ proposal, city departments would study ways to increase enforcement and improve safety involving electric two-wheeled vehicles.