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Home My WebLink AboutPD Response to the Grand Jury Report on E-Bike Safety PPTPolice Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 1 Response to the Grand Jury Report on E-Bike Safety Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 2 Background In April of 2024 the Marin County Grand Jury released a report entitled… “With Power Comes Responsibility -Youth Under Age 16 Operating Class 2 E-Bikes: A Safety Risk” Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 3 Grand Jury Report Addresses: •Notable increase in the number of e-bikes being operated by Marin youth as a major concern. •Marin’s e-bike accident rate for children ages 10 to 15 was five times higher than any other age group. •Encourages municipalities to adopt ordinances placing age limitations on Class 2 e-bike use along with helmet use. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 4 Electric Bike Classifications: •Type 1:E-bikes that are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 MPH. •Type 2:E-bikes that also have a maximum speed of 20 MPH but are throttle-assisted. •Type 3:E-bikes that are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and a maximum assisted speed of 28 MPH. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 5 Grand Jury Report Findings: Finding 1:The increasing number of e-bike accidents involving youths under the age of 16 presents a public health and safety danger in Marin. Finding 2:The operation of class 2 e-bikes by operators under the age of 16 poses a significant risk to the safety of e-bike operators, other bike riders, passengers, and pedestrians on sidewalks, streets, multi-use paths, and trails in Marin. Finding 3:The emerging and increasing safety issues related to class 2 e-bike use by operators under the age of 16 has not been addressed by Marin County or the municipalities in a uniform manner. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 6 Grand Jury Report Findings Continued: Finding 4:For all practical purposes, the state of California has abdicated its responsibility to regulate the use of class 2 e-bikes, leaving it up to the County of Marin and the Marin municipalities to create their own regulations. Finding 5:The funding to continue the e-bike specific safety and training program (E-bike Smart Marin) provided by the Marin County Bicycle Coalition is not sustainable without new sources of funding. Finding 6:Marin County public schools are not currently able to implement additional bicycle safety training programs for students, beyond what has been offered by Safe Routes to Schools for many years. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 7 City of San Rafael’s Response to Grand Jury Findings: •Findings 1 -4 = Agree •Finding 5 = Partially Disagree It is not within the City of San Rafael’s realm of responsibility to agree or disagree with this finding. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition is a private nonprofit organization; the City has no administrative or programmatic control over the organization. •Finding 6 = Partially Disagree It is not within the City of San Rafael’s realm of responsibility to agree or disagree with this finding. This finding pertains to matters relating to Marin County public schools which operate under the control of their respective legislative bodies. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 8 Grand Jury Report Recommendations: Recommendation 1:By December 31, 2024, the Board of Supervisors, and each municipality in Marin should take all steps necessary to adopt an ordinance with regard to class 2 e-bikes with, at minimum, the following provisions: (a)Only people aged 16 or older may operate class 2 e-bikes. (b)Operators of class 2 e-bikes must wear helmets. (c)All passengers on class 2 e-bikes must wear helmets. Recommendation 2:By December 31, 2024, the County of Marin and each municipality in Marin should take all steps necessary to establish a joint task force or committee to investigate and consider coordination among the county and municipalities about adopting a county-wide uniform set of regulations regarding e-bike use within the County of Marin. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 9 Grand Jury Report Recommendations Continued: Recommendation 3:Any task force or committee as described in Recommendation 2, above, should consider inviting representatives from Marin County schools, law enforcement, public health officials, and bicycle advocates to provide their input. Recommendation 4:By December 31, 2024, the Board of Supervisors should explore options for additional funding for student and public education in Marin County about e-bike safety. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 10 City of San Rafael’s Response to Grand Jury Recommendations: Recommendation 1:By December 31, 2024, the Board of Supervisors, and each municipality in Marin should take all steps necessary to adopt an ordinance… •Staff recommends more research and analysis before adopting an e- bike-specific ordinance; however, the City agrees that provisions a, b & c should, be included. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 11 City of San Rafael’s Response to Grand Jury Recommendations: Recommendation 2:By December 31, 2024, the County of Marin and each municipality in Marin should take all steps necessary to establish a joint task force or committee… •The City agrees with this recommendation and will work with partners in other jurisdictions to establish a taskforce by December 31, 2024. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 12 City of San Rafael’s Response to Grand Jury Recommendations: Recommendation 3:Any task force or committee as described in Recommendation 2, should consider inviting representatives from Marin County schools, law enforcement, public health officials, and bicycle advocates to provide their input. •The City agrees with this recommendation and will work with partners in other jurisdictions to implement it by December 31, 2024. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 13 City of San Rafael’s Response to Grand Jury Recommendations: Recommendation 4:By December 31, 2024, the Board of Supervisors should explore options for additional funding for student and public education in Marin County about e-bike safety. •This recommendation is directed to and pertains to matters solely under the control of the County of Marin Board of Supervisors. Therefore, this recommendation does not require action or a response by the City of San Rafael. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 14 Conclusions: •The City and its Police Department are committed to working with partner agencies to develop uniform regulations for class 2 e-bikes, and ongoing community education and engagement about the hazards and safe operation. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 15 Recommended Action: •Adopt a resolution approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute the City of San Rafael’s response to the Marin County Civil Grand Jury Report entitled, “With Power Comes Responsibility -Youths Under Age 16 Operating Class 2 E-Bikes: A Safety Risk”. Police Department Grand Jury Report –E-Bikes July 15th, 2024 https://www.srpd.org/ Slide 16 Questions?