6597ORDINANCE NO. 6 5 9 7
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ANAHEIM ADDING CHAPTER 14.72 TO TITLE 14 OF THE
ANAHEIM MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE
OPERATION OF MOTORIZED WHEELED CONVEYANCES
IN THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
WHEREAS, pursuant to the City's police power, as granted broadly under Article
XI, Section 7 of the California Constitution, the City Council of the City of Anaheim
("City Council") has the authority to enact and enforce ordinances and regulations to
safeguard the public peace, safety and welfare of the City of Anaheim (the "City") and its
residents; and
WHEREAS, the 2023-2024 Orange County Grand Jury report, titled "E-Bikes
Friend or Foe," examined the complex challenges posed by the increasing use of E-bikes.
The report revealed a lack of uniform regulations across the county's 34 cities, which often
leads to inconsistent enforcement and public confusion. One of the Grand Jury's
recommendations was for cities across the county to adopt specific policies that define the
rules of the road for the use of E-bikes in their communities; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that electric bicycles have increased in
popularity with a 269% increase in sales from 2019-2022 with over a million electric
bicycles being sold every year; and
WHEREAS, new models are emerging that do not fit into existing legal categories,
creating legal ambiguities and complicating enforcement efforts; and
WHEREAS, E-bikes evolve beyond current definitions, enforcing regulations
related to licensing, age, and equipment has become challenging; and
WHEREAS, in order to address these issues, updates to the City's Municipal Code
are necessary; and
WHEREAS, these changes would provide the Anaheim Police Department with the
necessary tools to enforce safety regulations effectively, ensuring the wellbeing of
residents and visitors; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to promote the safe operation of E-bikes as
well as the safety of persons using electric bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility
devices, electrically motorized boards, low -speed vehicles, motorized scooters, shared
mobility devices and other similar vehicles (defined herein as "motorized wheeled
conveyances"), while maximizing transportation and recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the provisions of this Chapter
represent reasonable measures and enforcement mechanisms that can be implemented to
promote the safe and efficient use of sidewalks, bike paths, bike lanes, trails, streets, roads,
and highways in the City pursuant to the City's police power and are based on compliance
with other generally applicable laws, including state and federal law, and the Anaheim
Municipal Code.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 14.72 is hereby added to the Anaheim Municipal Code to read in full as
follows:
Chapter 14.72 MOTORIZED WHEELED CONVEYANCES
14.72.010 PURPOSE.
.010 The purpose of this Chapter is to implement reasonable regulations on the
operation and use of motorized wheeled conveyances pursuant to the City's police power
to protect the public health, safety and welfare, to better promote the safe use and
operation of motorized wheeled conveyances, to prevent vehicular and pedestrian
conflicts and other traffic hazards, and to enhance pedestrian and motorist safety.
14.72.020 DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Section:
.010 "Electric Bicycle" or "E-Bike" shall have the same meaning as set forth in
California Vehicle Code Section 312.5 (a), as it may be amended from time to time,
meaning a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than
750 watts.
.020 "Motorized Board" shall have the same meaning set forth in California Vehicle
Code Section 313.5, as it may be amended from time to time, meaning any wheeled
device that has a floorboard designed to be stood upon when riding that is not greater
than 60 inches deep and 18 inches wide, is designed to transport only one person and has
an electric propulsion system averaging less than 1,000 watts, the maximum speed of
which when powered solely by a propulsion system on a paved surface is no more than
20 MPH.
.030 "Motor Driven Cycle" shall have the same meaning set forth in California Vehicle
Code Section 405, as it may be amended from time to time, meaning a motorcycle with a
motor that displaces less than 150 cubic centimeters. A motor -driven cycle does not
include a motorized bicycle, as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 406.
.040 "Motorized Scooter" shall have the same meaning set forth in California Vehicle
Code Section 407.5(a), as it may be amended from time to time, meaning any two -
wheeled device that has handlebars, has either a floorboard that is designed to be stood
upon when riding or a seat and footrests in place of the floorboard, and is powered by an
electric motor. This device may also be designed to be powered by human propulsion.
For purposes of this section, a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, a motor -driven
cycle, as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 405, or a motorized bicycle or
moped, as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 406, is not a motorized scooter.
.050 "Moped or Motorized Bicycle" shall have the same meaning set forth in
California Vehicle Code Section 406(a), as it may be amended from time to time,
meaning a two -wheeled or three -wheeled device having fully operative pedals for
propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy,
has an automatic transmission, and a motor which produces less than 4 gross brake
horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than
30 MPH on level ground.
.060 "Motorized Wheeled Conveyance" means any electric bicycle, motor -driven
cycle, moped or motorized bicycle, motorized scooter, electric or combustible motorized
skateboard/scooter, electric personal assistive mobility device as defined in California
Vehicle Code Section 313 (e.g., SegwaysTM), dirt bike, mini bike, mini motorbike,
motor driven cycle, mini motorcycle, go-kart, go-ped, moped, pocket bike, all -terrain
vehicle, quad runner, dune buggy or any similar electric or combustible motorized
wheeled conveyance.
.070 "Pocket bike" shall have the same meaning set forth in California Vehicle Code
Section 473(a), meaning a two -wheeled device having a seat or saddle for the use of the
rider that is not designated or manufactured for highway use. A pocket bike does not
include an off -highway motorcycle as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 436.
14.72.030 UNLAWFUL OPERATION OF MOTORIZED WHEELED CONVEYANCE.
.010 It shall be unlawful and a violation of this Chapter for any person to operate a
Motorized Wheeled Conveyance in an unsafe manner on any street, road, highway,
sidewalk, bike path, bike lane, trail, park, or upon any private property which is held open
to the public for pedestrian travel. Operating a Motorized Wheeled Conveyance in an
unsafe manner includes any one or more of the following:
.0101 Violating any Anaheim Municipal Code, California Vehicle Code, or
other existing law.
.0102 Intentionally swerving or riding around stopped or slowed traffic.
.0103 Operating a Motorized Wheeled Conveyance in a manner it was not
designed for, including carrying passengers when not intended for
carrying passengers.
.0104 Not obeying posted signs or signals.
.0105 Riding a Motorized Wheeled Conveyance without a properly fitted and
fastened helmet if the rider is under 18 years of age.
.0106 Intentionally lifting one or more wheels of a Motorized Wheeled
Conveyance into the air while riding on a highway, bike lane or bike path.
.0107 Attempting to perform any acrobatic trick or stunt.
.0108 Operating a Motorized Wheeled Conveyance any manner that endangers
the operator, passengers, other motorists, other riders, or pedestrians in the
area.
.0109 Operating on any street, sidewalk, road, highway, or bicycle lane against
the direction of traffic.
.0110 Operating upon any public drainage facility, culvert, ditch or channel.
.0111 Operating at a speed greater than 20 MPH on any street, road, highway,
bicycle path, bicycle lane, or other area generally open to public access, or
at any speed greater than is reasonable or prudent under the conditions
then existing.
.0112 Failing to yield to pedestrians.
.0113 Operating at a speed greater than 5 miles per hour on a sidewalk.
.0114 Operating while hitched to or physically attached to any moving vehicle or
motorized device.
.0115 Operating while failing to yield the right-of-way to any and all pedestrians
or failing to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle upon entering a roadway or
driveway from a sidewalk.
.0116 Operating in any Public Park as defined under Section 13.08.010 of the
Code.
.0117 Operating upon any unpaved hiking, equestrian, or walking trail.
.0118 Operating at a speed greater than 10 miles per hour on any paved trail.
.0119 Tampering with or modifying a regulated motorized wheeled conveyance
so as to change the speed capability of the device, or otherwise altering,
modifying, or adjusting the motor settings to increase the speed of the
device.
.0120 Operating a motorized wheeled conveyance while holding and operating a
handheld wireless telephone or an electronic wireless communications
device unless the wireless telephone or electronic wireless
communications device is specifically designed and configured to allow
voice -operated and hands -free operation, and it is used in that manner
while riding.
.0121 Operating a motorized conveyance while under the influence of alcohol,
drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs. A violation of this
subsection shall be punishable as a misdemeanor.
14.72.040 EXEMPTIONS.
This chapter shall not apply to a pedestrian, which includes a person who is operating a self-
propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle and, by reason of physical
disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian, as defined under California Vehicle
Code Section 467(a).
14.72.050 PENALTIES.
A violation of this chapter shall be deemed an infraction, unless specifically outlined as a
misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY.
The City Council of the City of Anaheim hereby declares that should any section,
paragraph, sentence, phrase, term or word of this ordinance be declared for any reason to be
invalid, it is the intent of the City Council that it would have adopted all other portions of this
ordinance independent of the elimination of any such portion as may be declared invalid. If any
section, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held
to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this
Ordinance, and each section, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause and phrase thereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one (or more) section, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or
phrase had been declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 3. CERTIFICATION.
The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this ordinance and shall cause the same to be
printed once within fifteen (15) days after its adoption in the Anaheim Bulletin, a newspaper of
general circulation, published and circulated in the City of Anaheim.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force thirty (30) days from and after its final
passage.
THE FOREGOING ORDINANCE was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council
of the City of Anaheim held on the 13 day of November , 2024, and thereafter passed and
adopted at a regular meeting of said City Council held on the 19 day of November , 2024,
by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Kurtz and Council Members Diaz,
Leon, Rubalcava, Faessel and Meeks
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Aitken
ABSTAIN: None
A
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1536450
ANAHEIM
C TY O ANAHEIM
By:
MAYOR OF Tl-1 CITY OF A A IEIM
PRO TEM
CLERK'S CERTIFICATE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF ANAHEIM )
I, THERESA BASS, City Clerk of the City of Anaheim, do hereby certify that the foregoing is the
original Ordinance No. 6597 introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Anaheim, held on the 13th day of November. 2024, and that the same was duly passed and
adopted at a regular meeting of said City Council held on the 19th day of November, 2024, by the
following vote of the members thereof:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tern Kurtz and Council Members Diaz, Leon, Rubalcava,
Faessel and Meeks
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Aitken
ABSTAIN: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 201 of November. 2024.
c
CITY CLERK OF THE CIT� OF ANAHEIM
(SEAL)
ANAHEIM BULLETIN rt.E
See Proof on Next Page
Anaheim Bulletin
1920 Main St. Suite 225
Irvine , California 92614
(214) 796-2209 _ _ _
200 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 217
Anaheim, California 92805
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
County of Orange County
I am a citizen of the United States and a resident of the County
aforesaid; I am over the age of eighteen years, and not a parry
to or interested in the above -entitled matter. I am the principal
clerk of the Anaheim Bulletin, a newspaper that has been
adjudged to be a newspaper of general circulation by the
Superior Court of the County of Orange County, State of
California, on December 28, 1951, Case No. A-21021 in and
for the City of Anaheim, County of Orange County, State of
California; that the notice, of which the annexed is a true
printed copy, has been published in each regular and entire
issue of said newspaper and not in any supplement thereof on
the following dates, to wit:
11128/2024
I certify (or declare) under the penalty of perjury under the
laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and
correct:
Executed at Anaheim, Orange County, California, on
Date: Nov 28, 2024.
ME / I i11 11
ORD-6597 (5190168) - Page 1 of 2
SUMMARY PUBLICATION
CITY OF ANAHEIM
ORDINANCE NO. 6597
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM ADDING CHAPTER 14.72 to TITLE 140F THE ANAHEIM
MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE OPERATION OF MOTORIZED WHEELED CONVEYANCES IN THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
This ordinance adds a new Chapter 14.72 ('Motorized Wheeled Conveyances') of Title 14 ("Traffic") of the Anaheim Municipal Code (the
,,Code,) with respect to the operation of Motorized Wheeled Conveyances In the City of Anaheim.
1, Theresa Bass, City Clerk of the City of Anahelm, do hereby certify that the foregoing Is a summary of Ordinance No. 6597, which ordinance
was introduced at a regular rneeting of the City Council of the City of Anaheim on the 13th day of November, 2024 and was duly passed and
adopted at a regular meeting of said Council on the 19th day of November, 2024 by the following roll call vote of the members thereof:
AYES: Mayor Pro Tern Kurtz and Council Members Diaz, Leon, Rubalcava, Faessel and Meeks
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Aitken
ABSTAIN: None
The above summary Is a brief description of the sublect matter contained In the text of Ordinance No. 6597 which has been prepared
pursuant to Section 512 of the Charter of the City of Anaheim. This summary does not Include or describe every provision of the ordinance
and should not be relled on as a substitute for the full text of the ordinance.
To obtain a copy of the full text of the ordinance, please contact the Office of the City Clerk, (714) 765-5166, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM,
Monday through Friday. There Is no charge for the copy.
153872/BMM
Anaheim Bulletin
Published: 11/28/24
ORD-6597 (5190168) - Page 2 of 2
CLERK'S CERTIFICATE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF ANAHEIM )
I, THERESA BASS, City Clerk of the City of Anaheim, do hereby certify that the foregoing
is the original Ordinance No. 6597 and was published in the Anaheim Bulletin on the 28tn
day of November, 2024, pursuant to Section 512 of the City Charter of the City of
Anaheim.
*CITYCF THE CIYY OF ANAHEIM
(SEAL)