Tonight, the Manhattan Beach City Council will consider a draft ordinance that would dramatically update and strengthen local regulations of electric bikes.

Many e-biking activities witnessed commonly today would put riders at risk of misdemeanor citations. Parental responsibility for teens' e-biking is also expressly added to local rules. 

The new ordinance comes on the heels of a 2023 "urgency" ordinance that established some basic, baseline rules for e-bikes in Manhattan Beach. 

90% of Bike Collisions Involve E-Bikes, Mostly Adults at Fault

City staff presented data to the council indicating that there were 32 bike collisions in 2025, with 90% involving e-bikes. The proportion of bike collisions involving e-bikes was only 50% in 2020. 

Of the 119 collisions between 2020-25, only 26% were deemed to be the fault of teenagers (13-17), while 66% were the fault of adults 18 years of age or older, according to the data.

The report shows significant enforcement efforts: 250 combined "administrative" or "other bicycle citations" in 2025. The two prior years saw 330 or more citations. 

Dangerous Riding Behaviors Targeted, Citations Enhanced

Whereas the previous ordinance banned "stunt" riding, the new ordinance is more specific as to what kinds of riding would be illegal. Under the proposal, riders could be cited for:

• Lifting wheels off the ground (wheelies) on a street, bike lane or bike path

• Swerving around stopped or slowed traffic

• Performing "acrobatic" tricks or "stunts" 

• Riding in any way that endangers "the operator, passengers, other motorists, other riders, or pedestrians in the area"

Mobile phones appear to be completely banned for e-bikers, in an effort to limit distractions. The draft ordinance states:

"No person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, or motorized bicycle shall operate a wireless telephone or an electronic wireless communications device."

Even a handlebar-mounted phone used for navigation could run afoul of the rule, if such use is deemed as "operat[ing]" the device. 

Relatedly, for the first time, riders would be prohibited from wearing:

• Headsets covering both ears

• Earbuds or earphones in both ears

• Earplugs

The rule appears to mirror California’s restrictions for car and motorcycle drivers.

Violations Default to Misdemeanors, Parents Liable

Whereas the existing e-bike ordinance calls for infractions or administrative citations, the proposed new ordinance would label each and every violation of the new code as a separate misdemeanor, by default. 

Violators could be offered the option to complete a "diversion safety program" at their own expense, in the discretion of police, or violations could be charged as administrative citations.

Officers are to attempt immediate parental notification for juvenile violators, otherwise such notification must be given "as soon as is practicable." Parents or legal guardians become jointly liable for any fees or fines resulting from a citation. 

Some Existing Rules Don't Change

The proposed new ordinance would not change certain existing rules:

• 15 mph speed limit on the beach bike path

• Ban on e‑bikes on the Strand, beach, walkstreets and parks

• Only children under 14 may ride on most sidewalks (riding on sidewalks near schools and other pedestrian-heavy areas remains prohibited) 

• Helmets required for riders under 18

• No passengers unless there is a "separate seat attached to the vehicle"

• Bicyclists must yield to pedestrians

The e-bike rules will be considered tonight alongside a detailed presentation about traffic safety issues on Sepulveda Blvd. MB News detailed many of the Sepulveda-related issues when they were first raised at the Parking and Public Improvements Commission. (See "Sepulveda Safety Improvements Targeted for Manhattan Beach," March 28, 2026.)