The Oceanside City Council unanimously approved plans to update the city’s e-bike safety ordinance Jan. 14, tightening enforcement tools while keeping an education-first approach aimed largely at reducing risky behavior among younger riders.
The vote took place following several years of rising concerns from residents, police and city officials about unsafe e-bike use. The move follows similar actions in Carlsbad and San Marcos. Escondido Mayor Dane White recently put out a social media call for ideas from that community as well.
The ordinance is scheduled for formal adoption at the City Council meeting on Jan. 28.
According to Oceanside Police Department data, calls for service related to e-bikes increased from 69 in 2021 to 918 in 2025, a jump of more than 1,200%. Officials say many of those calls involved reckless riding, riding in prohibited areas and carrying passengers on bikes not designed for more than one person.
The approved changes amend Chapter 5 of the Oceanside City Code and are narrowly focused on specific behaviors that city officials say pose the greatest safety risks.
Enforcement would begin Feb. 28, following a period of community outreach and education. City officials said the gap is intended to give riders and families time to understand the new rules before penalties are applied.
One of the key updates allows police to temporarily seize an e-bike when a rider is cited for reckless operation, failure to exercise due care, or when a rider commits two or more violations within a 12-month period. The ordinance also explicitly prohibits “double riding,” meaning carrying passengers on e-bikes unless the bike is designed and equipped with a passenger seat, aligning the municipal code with existing state law.
The ordinance does not introduce fines or storage fees tied to bike seizures, however. Any e-bike taken under the new authority will be released to its owner once the case is resolved. The city’s diversion program also remains in place, allowing eligible riders to resolve citations by completing a bicycle or e-bike safety course instead of paying a fine or appearing in court.
Ultimately, the goal is to reduce injuries and community complaints while providing immediate consequences for the most dangerous conduct, Police Chief Taurino Valdovinos said in a news release.
“We are optimistic this unique and strategic approach will help lessen community concerns, lower injury collisions involving e-bikes, and provide safer roadways in our community,” Valdovinos said, adding that temporary seizure can also support prosecution when necessary.
The Oceanside Police Department currently offers free bicycle and e-bike safety classes every other month on Saturdays. The lecture-style courses are open to all ages and do not require participants to bring a bike. Anyone can attend, regardless of whether they have received a citation.
This report was partially written using artificial intelligence, then edited and fact-checked against source material. View our AI policy on the About Us page.
