Reedley Municipal Code Ch. 5 E-Conveyances

A. The purpose of this chapter is to regulate e-conveyances within the city limits of Reedley.

B. The City supports the usage of electric bicycles, electric scooters, and other e-conveyances as an alternative mode of transportation. The City also recognizes the increased usage has created safety concerns among operator interactions with other motorists and pedestrians, warranting a higher level of regulation. (Ord. 2025-005, 12-9-2025)

E-CONVEYANCE: Any electric bicycle, electric scooter, electric skateboard, or other device propelled by an electric motor, and designed to convey one (1) or more people.

ELECTRIC BICYCLE: An electric bicycle, or "e-bike", which is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of seven hundred fifty (750) watts or less, and is categorized by the following:

Class 1 - an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty (20) miles per hour.

Class 2 - an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty (20) miles per hour.

Class 3 - an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty-eight (28) miles per hour and is equipped with a speedometer.

ELECTRIC SCOOTER or E-SCOOTER: A two or three-wheeled device that has handlebars, has a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding, and is powered by an electric motor. This device may also have a driver seat that does not interfere with the ability of the rider to stand and ride and may also be designed to be powered by human propulsion.

ELECTRIC SKATEBOARD or E-SKATEBOARD: A four-wheeled device that has a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding, and is powered by an electric motor. (Ord. 2025-005, 12-9-2025)

A. Prohibition of E-Conveyances Where Posted. No person shall operate or ride on an E-Conveyance in public areas where bicycles are prohibited, as set forth in Sections 6-3-2 of this Code.

B. No Operating or Riding E-Conveyances on Sidewalks and Public Facilities. No person shall operate or ride an e-conveyance upon any sidewalk, in any public drainage facility, culvert, ditch, channel, or any other public athletic field, athletic/sports court, or gymnasium in the city, except for persons with mobility disabilities utilizing a wheelchair or other power-driven mobility device in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.) and Section 36.311 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

C. Riders must be sixteen (16) years or older to ride a Class 3 Electric Bicycle or other e-conveyance with the capability to operate faster than twenty-one (21) miles per hour.

D. E Scooters must have a maximum speed of fifteen (15) miles per hour, as set forth in the California Vehicle Code Section 407.5.

E. Parking of E-Conveyances. No person shall leave an e-conveyance lying on its side on any sidewalk, nor shall park an e-conveyance upon the public right-of-way or the sidewalk rack to support the e-conveyance or against a building or at a curb, except in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic.

F. Duty to Operate E-Conveyances With Due Care and Speed.

1. The operator of an e-conveyance shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the device, obey all traffic control devices, and take all other actions relating to the operation of the device as necessary to safeguard the safety of the operator, passengers, and any persons or other vehicles or devices in the immediate area.

a. Any person operating an e-conveyance upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following situations:

i. When overtaking and passing another e-conveyance, bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

ii. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

iii. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. "Substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for an e-conveyance and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane.

2. Any person operating an e-conveyance upon a roadway or a highway, which highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as practicable.

3. Persons riding an e-conveyance upon a roadway or bike lane shall not ride more than two abreast.

4. No person shall operate an e-conveyance at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions than existing, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property. No e-conveyance operator shall travel over twenty-eight (28) miles per hour on a public roadway. No e-conveyance operator shall travel over ten (10) miles per hour on any trail, designated path, park, or other public property within the City.

5. No person shall operate an e-conveyance in an unsafe manner. An unsafe manner means in a manner that constitutes a danger to the operator, a passenger, other motorists, other riders, pedestrians, or property. Examples of riding in an unsafe manner may include, but are not limited to:

a. Not yielding to vehicles or pedestrians when required.

b. Operating an e-conveyance in a manner it was not designed for, including carrying passengers when not designed for carrying passengers.

c. Engaging in racing or speed contests.

d. Carrying any package, bundle, item or article which prohibits the operator from having full control and forward visibility at all times.

e. Performing any acrobatics, tricks, wheelies, or stunts when pedestrians or moving vehicles are in close proximity.

6. A person under the age of eighteen (18) must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet when riding an e-conveyance on a public roadway, bikeway, bicycle path, bicycle trail, or bicycle route regardless of e-bike class.

7. All persons operating or riding as a passenger upon a Class 3 electric bicycle shall comply with Section 21213 of the California Vehicle Code regarding the wearing of a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet.

8. No person shall operate an e-conveyance after sunset without a front facing white light. All e-conveyances shall have reflectors on both wheels and on the rear of the e-conveyance.

9. It shall be unlawful to transport a passenger on an e-conveyance designed for a single person, or cling to or attach oneself to an e-conveyance with an operator or rider on board, to any moving vehicle or motorized or non-motorized wheeled device.

10. Operators must obey all applicable California Vehicle Code requirements.

11. Operators shall allow the inspection of e-conveyances upon lawful contact with police officers to determine if the rider is legally allowed to operate said e-conveyance. (Ord. 2025-005, 12-9-2025)

Businesses within the City of Reedley that sell, rent, or service e-conveyances shall provide safety information and the legal use of such devices within the State of California and the City of Reedley. This information shall be provided at the time of sale, time of rental, or upon request of an individual. (Ord. 2025-005, 12- 9-2025)

A. A violation of any section in this chapter or any of the instructions or prohibitions contained in any signage posted pursuant to this section, shall be guilty of an infraction. This chapter does not prohibit any officer from issuing a citation to the courts for any offense based on his or her discretion. In the event an observed violation is not already codified in the California Vehicle Code and falls under the scope of this chapter, an administrative citation may be issued pursuant to title 1, chapter 12 of this Code. The amount of any fines levied for violations of this chapter shall comply with section 1-12-8 of this Code.

1. After the first thirty (30) days following adoption of this chapter, a violation of any section in this chapter shall be punishable by a fine established in the Administrative Citation Chapter; 1-12-8 .

2. A fee shall not be imposed upon a citation of this infraction if the person who violated the requirement, or, if that person is an unemancipated minor, their parent or guardian, delivers proof to the issuing agency within one hundred twenty (120) days after the citation was issued that the person has a helmet meeting the requirements specified in California Vehicle Code section 21212(a) and the person has completed a safety course established pursuant to California Streets and Highways Code section 894, or an electrical bicycle safety course offered by any local jurisdiction, if one is available.

3. No record of any violation of the regulations specified in section 10.30.070 of this chapter shall be transmitted to any Superior Court of the State of California.

B. E-Conveyances shall meet the following criteria

1. Comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1, et seq.).

2. Operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied, or operate in a manner such that the motor is engaged through a switch or mechanism that, when released or activated, will cause the electric motor to disengage or cease to function.

3. A person shall not tamper with or modify an e-conveyance to change the speed capability of the device, unless he or she appropriately replaces the label indicating the classification. It shall be unlawful to operate an e-conveyance which has been modified to exceed twenty-eight (28) miles per hour upon any public roadway.

C. In lieu of a fine or administrative citation as authorized by this Code, and in lieu of filing charges in any court having jurisdiction over a violation, the police chief or designee may allow a violator and parents of the violator of this chapter to complete a police department diversion safety program, at their expense, as assigned by the police department designee.

D. This chapter does not prohibit any officer from issuing a citation to the courts for any offense based on his or her discretion. In the event an observed violation is not already codified in the California Vehicle Code and falls under the scope of this chapter, an administrative citation may be issued pursuant to title 1, chapter 12 of this Code. The amount of any fines levied for violations of this chapter shall comply with Section 1-12-8 of this Code.

E. In the event the operator of the e-conveyance is a juvenile, officers will make every effort to contact the parent(s) or responsible guardian(s) of the said operator and advise them of the nature of the violation. This shall occur at the time of the stop or as soon as practical. (Ord. 2025-005, 12-9-2025)

A. The chief of police or their designee may impound and retain possession of any e-conveyance operated in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or the California Vehicle Code. The impoundment period shall not exceed thirty (30) days. If the rider in violation of this chapter is a minor, the e-conveyance conveyance shall be released to the minor's parent, guardian, or other responsible adult upon payment of the impound fee

B. The fee for release of an e-conveyance from impoundment under this chapter shall be set at one hundred dollars ($100.00). The on-duty Police Department Supervisor shall be responsible for determining the length of impoundment and the subsequent release. (Ord. 2025-005, 12-9-2025)

A. Public Agency Personnel. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or any other section of this Code, City and public agency personnel may operate e-conveyance s or other vehicles at any place in the City to perform their duties.

B. Disability. This chapter does not apply to or otherwise restrict persons with mobility disabilities utilizing a wheelchair or other power-driven mobility device in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.) and Section 36.311 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (Ord. 2025-005, 12-9-2025)