Pleasant Hill, CA – On Friday, September 12th, representatives from Pleasant Hill Police attended the E-Bike Safety Workgroup at Danville Town Hall. The meeting gathered law enforcement agencies, school leaders, PTA representatives, EMS supervisors, city managers, and staff from the offices of Assemblymember Tim Grayson and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier.
The workgroup addressed growing safety concerns surrounding e-bike and e-motorcycle usage among youth ages 13–17, with a focus on unsafe and illegal riding behavior and the challenges of enforcement.
The Town of Danville highlighted their “Not My Kid” campaign, which provides parents and youth with educational resources. They also introduced an administrative citation program, allowing youth offenders and their parents to complete an educational course in lieu of receiving a standard California Vehicle Code violation.
In addition, the group discussed Senate Bill 455 (SB 455), which seeks to update the California Vehicle Code to give municipalities stronger tools to address the growing use of e-motorcycles (“E-Motos”).
Council Member Andrei Obolenskiy—recognized as a first mover in promoting e-bike safety in Pleasant Hill—has worked with community partners on trail and mobility safety since serving on the Iron Horse Trail Commission (2022–2024), including a term as Chair. Those collaborations continue today through outreach with schools, parent groups, and regional public safety stakeholders.
Obolenskiy stated:
“I commend our Pleasant Hill Police Department for joining regional partners in addressing this urgent issue. While I was not in attendance, I remain fully committed to advancing education, fair enforcement, and legislative solutions to keep our youth safe. I am glad to see regional partners getting together and ensuring that these new mobility options are used responsibly and safely.”
The workgroup concluded with plans to hold smaller breakout sessions focused on Enforcement, Education, and Legislation. Pleasant Hill will remain engaged in these regional conversations and will continue to prioritize youth safety in our community.
Call to Action
As we approach the holiday season, families considering the purchase of e-bikes or e-motorcycles for their children are strongly encouraged to review the Pleasant Hill Outlook publication and visit the Pleasant Hill Police Department Facebook page for up-to-date safety recommendations. Get to know before you buy—and make sure you understand what is legal and appropriate for kids to ride before gifting these vehicles.
Andrei Obolenskiy
Pleasant Hill City Council