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Prohibit Electric Bicycles / Equestrain, Hiking and Recreational Trails / Enforcement Tools

Council File 26-0338

Introduced
2026-03-10
Last changed
2026-05-06
Status
closed
Expires
2028-05-01
Mover
JOHN S. LEE
Second
ADRIN NAZARIAN

Brief

Councilmember John S. Lee moved to prohibit electric bicycles on equestrian, hiking, and recreational trails throughout Los Angeles, and to establish enforcement tools for the restriction. The motion passed the Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee and Transportation Committee in April 2026, then was adopted by Council on May 1, 2026 by a vote of 12-0-3. The file is now closed and final.

Full summary

Councilmember John S. Lee introduced this motion in March 2026 to restrict electric bicycles on city trails used for equestrian, hiking, and recreational activities. The original motion directed the Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) to prohibit all classes of e-bikes on those trails using signage and available enforcement tools, while exempting designated Class I, II, III, and IV Bikeways. It also called on LAPD, with support from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the City Attorney, to report on existing regulations and develop a substantial fine structure to deter e-bike use in restricted areas. When the full Council took up the item on May 1, 2026, Councilmember Bob Blumenfield introduced an amendment, seconded by Councilmember Hutt, that refined the prohibition by e-bike class. Class 3 e-bikes are banned from all equestrian, hiking, and recreational trails. Class 2 e-bikes face the same ban but with explicit exceptions for trails that are or were paved, trails wider than 10 feet, paved or unpaved fire roads in the Santa Monica Mountains, and trails a bicyclist could reasonably use to reach a motor-vehicle-accessible destination not served by a Class I or Class IV bikeway. The amendment also directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance codifying the Class 2 and Class 3 prohibitions, with fines capped at the level applied to speed safety system violations and with reduced fines and payment options for low-income individuals. Critically, the ordinance cannot take effect until RAP has first reported back on suitable alternative locations and paths where e-bikes could be permitted. A separate income-proportional fine mechanism, initially listed as a standalone directive, was folded into the ordinance request rather than treated as an independent reporting requirement. During committee review in April, the Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee added two directives: a request to the City Attorney and DOT to study income-proportional fines, and an instruction to RAP to identify existing or potential locations amenable to e-bike use. Both were carried forward into the final amended version. The Transportation Committee concurred with the APLCE action on April 22 without further changes. The full Council adopted the amended item 12-0-3 on May 1, 2026, with the action becoming final on May 5. RAP, DOT, and LAPD are now directed to report on enforcement resources, and the City Attorney is tasked with drafting the banning ordinance — which will not take effect until RAP completes its report on alternative e-bike-friendly locations.

Activity (9)

  • 2026-05-05 Council action final.
  • 2026-05-01 Council adopted item as amended, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2026-04-28 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on May 1, 2026.
  • 2026-04-22 Transportation Committee concurred with the Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee's action of April 14, 2026.
  • 2026-04-17 Transportation Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on April 22, 2026.
  • 2026-04-15 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee transmitted Council File to Transportation Committee.
  • 2026-04-14 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee approved as amended .
  • 2026-04-06 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on April 14, 2026.
  • 2026-03-10 Motion referred to Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee; Transportation Committee.

Documents (10)

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