Tiburon to explore new regulations for 'electric mobility devices'

May 01, 2023

Tiburon is exploring new regulations for battery-powered vehicles such as electric bicycles, motorized boards, scooters and wheelchairs.

The town's Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission unanimously approved the formation of the subcommittee at a meeting on Tuesday.

The move comes amid reports of unsafe use of the equipment — broadly described as "electric mobility devices" — on the Old Rail Trail, said David Eshoo, the town's public works engineering manager. The town's ordinances are too limited to address some of the newer equipment and safety issues, he said.

"All of this has happened really quick in the last couple of years," Eshoo said. "The town feels that we need to update our municipal code to reflect the changes we need to put in there."

Eshoo said there had recently been increased reports of excessive speed on the Old Rail Trail, especially involving youths during school hours. He said there was a report of a collision involving a pedestrian and an electric bicycle last month.

Other reports included failing to adhere to posted speed limits, ignoring signs, riding against the flow of traffic and riding with multiple passengers aboard, a staff report said.

The subcommittee will work with town staff on the amendments to the municipal code. The amendments would then go to the Town Council for approval.

The subcommittee will include commissioners Timothy Burr and Liz Judge. Burr said it would have a broader mandate to look at trail safety in general, including speeds, signage and the breadth of equipment covered by the ordinance.

"I think there will be some significant updates for this subcommittee to dive into," he said.

The formation of the subcommittee follows a move by Mill Valley in March to adopt safety regulations electric mobility devices. The ordinance bans the devices from the skate park, the downtown plaza, public hiking and riding trails, sidewalks and public facilities. It also includes speed regulations.

Isaac Nikfar, a member of the Tiburon parks commission, said he also has concerns about the speed of regular bicyclists.

"They jam right past you. It's faster than the kids," Nikfar said.

Commissioner Angela McInerney said the issue of enforcement is "the greatest hurdle."

"You can come up with as many laws or ordinances or change whatever, but it's going to come down to: How are you going to enforce this?" she said.

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