"With Power Comes Responsibility: Youths under age 16*

The increasing number of e-bike accidents involving youths under the age of 16 presents a public health and safety danger in Marin. Agree.

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. Disagree. This finding requires further analysis, as more accurate information needs to be collected.

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. Agree.

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. Agree. In fact, California law preempts local regulations with respect to public streets and highways, leaving local governments with limited options for regulating e-bikes in those areas.

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. Agree.

and recommendations R1, R2, R3, R4. The City of Mill Valley supports the use of alternate means of transportation, including E-bikes. E- bikes reduce reliance on fossil fuels and vehicle miles traveled, furthering the City's goals with respect to climate change. The City does not want to discourage students from using E-bikes to safely commute to school. That said, the City agrees that the increasing number of E-bike accidents involving youths in Marin County presents a significant concern, and that additional safety regulation is required. The City notes that age-based regulations may be difficult to enforce, however, and the City has not found that Class 2 E-bikes present a significantly greater danger of accidents than Class 1 E-bikes. The City would like to see more data linking rider age with the type of E-bike before considering age- based regulations related to the type of bike. Finally, the City notes that with respect to public streets and highways, the state legislature has preempted local governments and severely limits the types of regulations that a local government can adopt. The City supports the formation of a joint task force or committee to evaluate options and work on a coordinated response in Marin County. While the actions of the County Board of Supervisors are not within the jurisdiction or control of the City, the City supports seeking additional funding for a countywide student and public education E-bike safety program. City of Mill Valley, 26 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley, California 94941 | (415) 388-4033 MILL VALLEY Please see the attached response to the Grand Jury report from the City. Should the members of the Grand Jury require any additional information, please feel free to contact me at 415-388-4033 or [email protected]. Sincerely, 5. mf. m Urban Carmel Mayor City of Mill Valley City of Mill Valley, 26 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley, California 94941 | (415) 388-4033 RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY REPORT FORM Report Title: "With Power Comes Responsibility: Youths under age 16 Operating Class 2 E-Bikes A Safety Risk." Report Date: April 26, 2024 Agenda Date: July 15, 2024 Response by: Mill Valley City Council Title: Mayor Urban Carmel FINDINGS: Agree with the findings numbered: F1, F3, F4, F5, F6 Disagree partially with the findings numbered: F2 Disagree wholly with the findings numbered: ______ (Attach a statement specifying any portions of the findings that are disputed; include an explanation of the reasons therefor.)