The City Council voted unanimously to adopt a new Municipal Code Ordinance that includes regulations for bicycles, e-bicycles, and motorized bikes.
The council also repealed an older city law covering the same transportation devices.
This was a Consent Calendar item. Consent items are voted on collectively, without discussion, unless a council member pulls one or more items for further discussion. Nothing was pulled from this week’s Consent Calendar.
“On February 4, 2025 City Council introduced and waived all readings of an ordinance to repeal and replace Title 4, Chapter 4-1 and repeal Chapter 4-10 of the Avalon Municipal Code,” wrote Assistant City Manager Jocelyn Francis in her staff report to the council.
“The proposed ordinance covers requirements of licensing, operation, and enforcement provisions for bicycles and electric bicycles,” Francis wrote.
“Perhaps most notably in the ordinance is the ability for local law enforcement to securely store bicycles, e-bicycles, and illegal offhighway vehicles/motorcycles for violations of the proposed municipal code amendment,” Francis wrote.
As the Islander reported in Feburary, the new rules include mandatory bicycle registration, compliance with traffic laws, restricted areas, a speed limit, age restrictions, and requires bicyclists to wear helmets.
Violators face fines and bikes (including e-bikes) may be impounded.
According to Avalon Sheriff’s Station Commander Matthew King impounding bikes (which are kept at the city tow yard) encourages bike registration.
For more information about e-bikes, see “Council introduces new bike ordinance” and “Public comments on e-bikes” at thecatalinaislander.com.
