The Coronado Police Department plans to continue offering Bike Rodeos to teach children safety guidelines and the laws of cycling in 2024.
But sometimes, the message doesn’t get across – and traffic citations are issued.
According to CalBike, e-bikes are subject to the same rules and legal requirements that apply to traditional bicycles following changes to California law in 2016.
In August 2023, the Department of California Highway Patrol released an online e-bike safety and training program designed to help riders of all abilities and ages identify potential hazards, while offering information on safe riding practices and hazard-avoidance maneuvers.
Since August, School Resource Officer Brittany Palmore has been working to help ticketed students learn about e-bike safety through a juvenile diversion program.
To avoid court, Palmore said, students must within seven business days obtain parental authorization and participate in a Saturday traffic school during the ensuing six months.
Palmore said among those who successfully completed the course, there have been no repeat offenders and students who decline the class or fail to complete it are not eligible for a diversion opportunity if they receive subsequent traffic violations.
“The reception of the parents of these kids that are getting cited has been pretty positive,” said Palmore. “They’re appreciative of that [diversion] opportunity and I think that’s a good wakeup call for some of these kids.”
According to Palmore, families and community members continue to express their concerns about user speed, helmets and ignored stop signs as potential dangers.
“Until we get more legislation on e-bikes from the capitol, I think as a department we’ve been doing a good job of what we can do within legal bounds,” said Palmore.
