On Tuesday, the Walnut Creek City Council will discuss and provide direction on Walnut Creeks e-bike safety action plan.
With an increase in electric bicycles ( e-bikes) their has also been an increase in safety concerns in the community and the city is looking for ways to reduce collisions and injuries. The conversation comes as Walnut Creek Police announced it had been out educating riders and enforcing e-bike and electric motorcycle safety. During a recent operation, officers made nine traffic stops — and even had to tow one electric motorcycle.
Staff is asking for the council to provide feedback on a plan which includes education, legislation, enforcement, infrastructure, and partnerships to create a safer environment for all road users while supporting sustainable and accessible mobility options.
To date, the city has already launched a campaign emphasizing proper riding behavior, compliance with traffic laws, the importance of wearing helmets, benefits of E-bike use, and safe interactions with pedestrians and vehicles. This campaign has included the following actions thus far:
- New electric bike and scooters webpage: The City launched a new electric bikes and scooters webpage that can be accessed through both the City and Police Department (WCPD) websites. The webpage includes information about the different types of E- bikes, training resources, bike safety information, videos and more: click here
Staff has also done school and community presentation, used social media to provide awareness and held a bike rodeo along with attending school events. Finally, they also released a safety video.
The staff report included State Legislation and Local Policies. To date, there are several notable bills that have been enacted:
- SB 381(Min): Adopted in 2023 mandating a study on electric bicycles to inform future legislation on safety and policy. The bill required the Mineta Transportation Institute (Mineta) at San Jose State University to conduct a study on E-bike safety, including researching data on accidents, injuries, and best practices. The bill required Mineta to submit its findings to the legislature by January 1, 2026.
- AB 1778 (Conolly): Established the “Marin Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program”. This bill allows Marin County and its cities to adopt ordinances prohibiting individuals under 16 from operating a Class 2 E-bike through 2029. It is important to clarify that this authority applies only to jurisdictions within Marin County. This bill was enacted in 2024.
- AB 965 (Dixon): Prohibits a person from selling a Class 3 E-bike to a person under 16. This bill will be effective January 1, 2026.
- AB 544 (Davies): Provides that a person under 18 years of age who is cited for operating an E-bike while not wearing a proper helmet may avoid fines if they prove that (1) they have a helmet that meets legal specifications and (2) they completed a specialized E-bike safety course. The bill also requires that an E-bike on a roadway, sidewalk, or bikeway be equipped with a red reflector or a solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector on the rear. This bill will be effective January 1, 2026.
- AB 545 (Davies): Prohibits a person from selling a device or an application (apps) that can modify the speed capability of an E-bike such that the E-bike no longer meets the statutory definition of an E-bike. This bill will be effective January 1, 2026.
- AB 875 (Muratsuchi): Authorizes a peace officer to remove a vehicle with fewer than four wheels that does not meet the definition of an E-bike and is powered by an electric motor capable propelling the vehicle more than 20 miles per hour and is being operated without a current vehicle registration. The bill will be effective January 1, 2026.
According to the city, E-bike safety checks and enforcement will increase as part of the Action Plan. WCPD will continue proactive patrols on streets and sidewalks and will coordinate with the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) to explore increased enforcement of E-bike use and speed limits on EBRPD trails.
- E-bike enforcement event on August 22, 2025, in downtown Walnut Creek: WCPD conducted nine enforcement stops, issued eight warnings, and impounded one electric off-road motorcycle.
- E-bike trail enforcement event on October 8, 2025: WCPD conducted an E-bike trail enforcement event in collaboration with EBRPD. The event resulted in 16 total stops, 10 citations, 6 warnings, and 2 vehicles were impounded.
- E-bike enforcement event on October 9, 2025: Resulted in 2 stops.
Bike Infrastructure
The City is committed to increasing bike facilities, with funding outlined in the Capital Budget, and bicycle improvements included in the City Council’s priorities for 2025 and 2026 (Park and Recreation Facilities priority). Additionally, the City’s Sustainability Action Plan established a goal for the City to increase bike facility miles by 25% or more by 2030. To date, the bike network has already expanded by approximately 12% since 2017 baseline.
In the last two years, the City built and completed the new Trinity Avenue and Oakland Boulevard bike lanes/routes. The high-quality bike facility projects at Parkside Drive, Arroyo Way, North Broadway, and Walden Road are expected to begin construction in summer of 2027. Partnerships
E-bike safety requires relationships and partnerships with several stakeholders outside the City of Walnut Creek staff organization. The City will foster relationships and collaboration with:
- Local schools and parent teacher associations: The City will meet with representatives of local schools and parent teacher’s associations and present on bike safety.
- EBRPD: The City will continue coordination efforts with EBRPD regarding safety on EBRPD trails.
- E-Bike Safety Coalition: The City will continue to participate in the E-Bike Safety Coalition, a regional working group of public agencies addressing youth-related E-bike safety incidents.
- Youth Leadership Commission: City staff will support the Commission in developing and implementing a campaign targeted at middle- and high-school students regarding E-bike safety.
- Other stakeholders: Staff understand that there are many other groups that may be impacted by the increase in E-bike use. Staff will continue to grow these partnerships and foster these relationships with stakeholders.
If You Go:
- Walnut Creek City Council Meeting
- Oct 21, 2025
- 5:00 pm – closed session
- 6:00 pm: City Council Meeting
- 1666 N Main St, Walnut Creek
- Staff Report – click here
More info on E-Bike Safety from City of Walnut Creek — click here
Other articles of interest
- Oct 5 – Obolenskiy Commends Regional Collaboration on E-Bike Safety
- Aug 11 – Danville Launches ‘Not My Kid’ E-Bike Safety Campaign
- April 2 – Clayton Police Issues Statement on E-Bikes
