By Gina Yarbrough
Oceanside, CA–The Oceanside City Council unanimously approved updates to the city’s bicycle and mobility device ordinance, enhancing safety measures for electric bicycles while maintaining an education-first approach focused on youth safety and community awareness.
The ordinance amends Chapter 5 of the Oceanside City Code in response to a significant and sustained increase in e-bike-related calls for service over the past several years. Oceanside Police Department data show calls rose from 69 in 2021 to 918 in 2025, an increase of more than 1,200 percent. Many incidents involve unsafe riding behaviors such as reckless operation, riding in prohibited areas, and carrying unauthorized passengers.
The approved amendments are narrowly focused on preventing dangerous behavior and promoting safety in the community.
Key Updates Include:
• Temporary E-Bike Seizure Authority: Allows for the temporary seizure of an e-bike when a rider is cited for reckless operation, failure to exercise due regard for safety, or two or more violations within 12 months.
• Prohibition on Unauthorized Passengers (“Double Riding”): Prohibits carrying passengers on e-bikes unless the device is designed and equipped with a passenger seat, consistent with California law.
The ordinance preserves Oceanside’s education-first diversion program, allowing eligible citations to be resolved by completing a bicycle or e-bike safety course rather than paying fines or going to court. Bikes that were seized under the new ordinance will be released to the owner upon case adjudication. No fines or storage fees will be assessed.
The Oceanside Police Department offers free bicycle and e-bike safety classes every other month on Saturdays at OPD. These lecture-style courses are open to all ages, do not require participants to bring a bike, and any member of the public can attend, regardless of whether they receive a citation.
The addition to the ordinance expressly prohibits double riding on e-bikes not equipped to carry passengers, mirrors with the existing vehicle code (CVC 21204); however, by expressly adding it to the Municipal Code allows the opportunity for offenders to have their case dismissed by attending a bicycle safety course rather than paying a fine.
“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. Temporary seizure will aid in the potential prosecution of the case; however, we believe this amendment also provides an immediate and meaningful consequence to reckless riders in the City of Oceanside,” Oceanside Police Chief Taurino Valdovinos said.
The ordinance is scheduled to be adopted at the Oceanside City Council meeting on January 28. The ordinance will be enforceable on February 28, following community outreach and education efforts.
