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The Danville Town Council is taking additional steps this month to address growing concerns about e-bike safety and enforcement issues in the region, particularly related to youth riders and unregulated “e-motorcycles” that have been at the center of public outcry as the vehicles gain popularity.
Following direction from the council and input from the public at a study session last month, town staff are set to present a draft ordinance aimed at addressing concerns and challenges not yet accounted for in previous e-bike safety measures implemented in recent years.
“At the conclusion of the Town Council study session on May 12, the Town Council directed Town staff to bring forward an ordinance based on the Parks Commission recommendation, but with the understanding that it could be modified or altered,” Town Manager Tai Williams wrote in a staff report for the upcoming meeting.
“Those alterations could include prohibiting riding e-bikes in parks (having the effect of requiring the bike to be walked), lowering the proposed speed limit or imposing a more subjective standard such as prohibiting ‘unsafe riding’ or yielding to pedestrians using park paths,” she continued.
The draft ordinance and upcoming discussion mark the latest steps in the town’s ongoing efforts to contend with safety concerns over electric bikes and scooters, having passed ordinances prohibiting their use in business districts and playground areas in 2024. Last year, the town’s parks and bicycle advisory commissions underwent a review of potential additional ordinances, with their recommendations reviewed at last month’s study session.
“At the conclusion of that study session, the Council directed Town staff to bring forward ordinances separately addressing parks and sidewalks,” Williams wrote. “This item is focused on parks; the proposed sidewalk ordinance will be brought forward at a later date.”
The draft ordinance up for discussion Tuesday incorporates two recommendations from the parks commission: Allowing e-bikes and scooters on paved trails only, and establishing a 15 mile per hour speed limit on town parks and trails.
Following the upcoming discussion, town staff are set to incorporate any amendments to the draft ordinance recommended by the council and introduce it for a vote on July 7.
The Danville Town Council is set to meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday (June 16). The agenda is available here.
In other business
*The council is set to consider a $40,000 annual pay increase for Williams in the coming year following her annual performance evaluation.
*The council is set to appoint a new youth poet-laureate.
*Rep. Mark DeSaulnier is set to present a project funding check to the town for its Fiber Optic Interconnect Improvements Project.
*The council is set to issue proclamations recognizing June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and Juneteenth on June 19.
