In response to a dramatic increase in e-bike accidents over the past three years, Santa Barbara's city council recently enacted new regulations aimed at enhancing safety. Data shows a sharp rise in collisions, with 107 reported in 2024 alone, raising alarms among residents and officials alike. Much of the focus is on the popular State Street promenade, where e-bike use has soared since the pandemic, leading to valid safety concerns. Council members continue to debate further measures necessary to ensure public safety, especially regarding faster e-bikes that current regulations do not adequately address.
In just three years, e-bike collisions in Santa Barbara surged, prompting city council to implement reforms to enhance public safety amid rising concerns.
Despite recent restrictions on e-bikes, council members express concerns over the growing prevalence of faster 'pocket bikes', which aren't adequately addressed in new regulations.
Statistics are alarming: e-bike collisions jumped from 10 in 2022 to 107 in 2024, with e-cyclists at fault 69 times, highlighting urgent safety issues.
Councilmember Mike Jordan highlighted the need for regulations to also encompass faster e-bikes, as current classifications fail to address those exceeding 30 mph.
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