With the growing popularity of Motorized Mobility Devices, or MMDs, the City of Coronado has passed laws to protect pedestrians and riders alike in public spaces. These rules govern motorized mobility devices (MMDs), which include e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, e-hoverboards, and similar electric mobility devices. The rules start on January 3, 2025.
- The rules prohibit e-bikes and other MMDs from riding on:
- All city sidewalks, beaches, and parks
- The Paseo boardwalk near the Hotel del Coronado
- The Boardwalk near the Coronado Shores
- The Promenade between Glorietta Bay Park and the Bluewater Boathouse Seafood Grill.
Riders may walk their wheels through the above locations. ADA mobility devices are permitted.
- The rules also prohibit e-bike operators/riders under the age of 12 from operating Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes (Class 3 already prohibits operators under the age of 16). For the first 60 days after January 3, warning will be issued for violations. After that, fines up to $25 may be imposed.
MMDs are allowed to operate on roadways, sharrows, bike paths and lanes, and streets.
All MMDs must follow all DMV regulations and laws pertaining to their device.
This article “What Are Ebike ‘Classes’ and What Do They Mean?” from Wired gives descriptions of e-bike “classes” 1, 2 and 3. The quoted info below is only the most introductory description – read the full article for details.
Class 1 ebikes are limited to a top speed of 20 miles per hour, and the electric motor works only when the rider is pedaling.
Class 2 ebikes are also limited to a top speed of 20 miles per hour, but they have throttles that work when you’re not pedaling. That doesn’t mean the motor won’t assist you if you decide to pedal. Most Class 2 ebikes offer electrically assisted pedaling alongside throttles.
Class 3 ebikes can go up to 28 miles per hour and must have a speedometer, but they may or may not have a throttle. It depends on the state writing the rules. California, for example, doesn’t allow Class 3 ebikes to have throttles at all. In other states, throttles are allowed as long as they only work up to 20 miles per hour, while pedal-assisted electric power continues up to 28 miles per hour.
Excellent start. So much more needs to happen. Like “drivers training” for e-bikes needs to occur and riders need to”license” to ride.
As with any attempt to regulate, the key is always enforcement. I don’t see that in evidence even with respect to bicycle riders following basic rules of the road or along downtown sidewalks where signage is evident. C’mon Coronado PD, put some muscle into prevention — for everyone’s sake
100% Janet! But enforcement of gray laws is really challenging for CPD to enforce. Speed limit enforcement is black & white (B/W). No bicycles on boardwalk is B/W. Walk your bikes is B/W.
Trying to determine if a bicycle is electric is gray. Trying to determine if it’s powered on is gray. If a person already owns an ebike, but chooses to pedal it like a bicycle like other bikes on the boardwalk, are they breaking the law?
Gray legislation creates gray laws.
I think it’s prudent, but extremely shortsighted by the City of Coronado. Focusing on e-bikes rather than ALL bicycles shows complete ignorance of what the issue is. Speed. I ride an e-bike at 7-8mph and pedal bikes pass me at 12-15mph. 20-22mph on the Bayshore Bikeway (touring cyclists going from strand to Ferry Landing).
Bicycle Speed is what places pedestrians in danger. If a pedestrian gets hit at 10-12mph, what difference does it make what is powering the bike? Why has the City not painted speed limits on the boardwalks? Why have they never attempted to manage it?
You’ve missed the target Coronado. Now you have to try to figure out if a bike pedaling by is power assisted or non-power assisted? If its drive system is powered on.. or not? Most e-bikes are hybrids.. pedal or power.
My point is.. it would have been better, and easier to enforce by prohibiting ALL bicycles.
The weight of the bikes are different. The batteries in e-bikes make them substantially heavier.
Also the skill and ability of a rider who can get a conventional bike up to a sustained speed of 20-22 mph is significant.
Not necessarily true. Riding a bicycle at 20-22mph does not indicate they are a skilled rider, and the pedestrians around them are not necessarily spatially aware of bicycles approaching from behind. Regardless of quick reaction time, higher speeds place pedestrians in significantly more danger than slow speeds. I regularly see touring cyclists pass pedestrians at WAY too much speed. They may be skilled, but pedestrians meander unknowing of stepping into a path of a passing bike.
Secondly, rider weight has way more impact than a battery. Batteries weigh 10-15lbs. 20lbs for the largest batteries. Minimal when comparing a 100lb rider to a 220lb rider.
Lastly.. is an ebike an ebike with its power turned off? If a rider is pedaling at 7-9mph, does the battery make that bike dangerous to pedestrians? No. Speed is the danger when in close proximity to pedestrians, not the method of propulsion.
Excellent, it’s about time … thank you Coronado and the new administration… e-bikes are ruining our city safety !