MEETING DATE:
October 28, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NOS. 2025-9508 & 2025-9509 AND ORDINANCE NO. 2025-1567 - ENHANCED E-BIKE SAFETY EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING PROHIBITING PERSONS UNDER AGE 12 FROM OPERATING CLASS 1 AND CLASS 2 E-BIKES
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Recommendation
Recommendation
1. ADOPT Resolution 2025-9508, prohibiting persons under age 12 from operating electric bicycles;
2. ADOPT Resolution 2025-9509, authorizing an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operations Budget to appropriate funding for enhanced e-bike education and enforcement activities;
3. INTRODUCE Ordinance 2025-1567, amending San Marcos Municipal Code Chapter 12.25 to codify the prohibition against persons under age 12 operating a Class 1 or Class 2 electric bicycle.
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Board or Commission Action
Not Applicable
Introduction
In recent years, electric bicycle (e-bike) safety has become a growing community concern in San Marcos, especially the safety of young riders. Given that San Marcos is a community with many young families, the City Council has taken a leadership role to increase safety, raise awareness of the rules of the road and step up enforcement. In 2024, the City Council passed an ordinance specific to e-bike safety and partnered with the San Marcos Unified School District to create an e-bike permit and safety training program at local middle and high schools.
Despite these efforts, many young e-bike riders continue to engage in dangerous behaviors, putting themselves and others at risk.
San Marcos Municipal Code section 2.12.040 (a) allows two City Council members or the Mayor to put an item on the City Council agenda for consideration and action. Under this provision, Mayor Rebecca Jones and City Council Member Danielle LeBlang have requested that the City Council consider several new actions to address concerns about e-bike safety in San Marcos consisting of the following:
1. Pass a resolution and an ordinance prohibiting those under 12 years of age ...
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