Police to Carry Out 'Directed Bicycle Enforcement' Today
Aug 16, 2023 08:54AM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Manhattan Beach police pull over an e-bike violator in August 2022 just after school started.
Heads up if you're a bicyclist who doesn't follow traffic rules, if you're driving an e-motorcycle around town, and/or if you're a kid riding without a strapped helmet: Manhattan Beach police will be carrying out a "directed bicycle enforcement" today.
MBPD will be working with Hawthorne police until 3:00 p.m., targeting bicycle violators in areas around town where frequent violations have been identified.
The bicycle enforcement operation follows a directive from Manhattan Beach City Council earlier this month, when the council called on police to step up enforcement on e-bike violations.
Manhattan Beach Mayor Pro Tem Joe Franklin, a leader in the city's e-bike safety efforts, noted at the council's August 1 meeting that students have had multiple opportunities for bike safety education. Through the local bike safety campaign known as Ride Safe, Ride Ready,
the young people of Manhattan Beach have heard bike safety talks given
at every school across town, as well as in the Junior Guard program and
at the Hometown Fair, Franklin said.
"The
time is now for stepping up enforcement. There’s no excuses anymore,"
said Franklin. "If the parents object, give them my number. I’ll talk to
them. [The need for bike safety] is just so obvious."
At the August 1 meeting, councilmembers also directed city staff to propose updates to the local bicycle
ordinances - last updated in the 1970s - to account for new issues posed
by e-bikes.
They further agreed to urge
Manhattan Beach's state legislators to support AB 530, a bill that would
1) prohibit anyone under the age of 12 from riding an e-bike; and 2)
set up an e-bike license program, required for anyone operating an
e-bike who does not have a driver's license.
The Manhattan Beach Police are conducting another youth e-bike training on August 24.
