Santa Barbara Bike Laws: Time For Change?

Santa Barbara's bike laws are currently under review, with proposed amendments to the city's bicycle ordinance. The changes are intended to improve safety and address the rise in e-bike collisions, which have resulted in 80 incidents so far in 2024. The amendments aim to establish clear rules for all types of bicycles, including electric and motorized variants, and enforce the use of bike lanes, helmets for minors, and prohibitions against unsafe riding practices. Santa Barbara strives for equality among all modes of transportation, and the proposed amendments reflect the city's commitment to creating a safe and sustainable environment for its residents and visitors.

E-bike laws and safety

Santa Barbara is currently witnessing a boom in the popularity of e-bikes, particularly since the pandemic. This has brought to light the need to amend existing bicycle laws to include e-bikes and ensure the safety of riders and pedestrians alike.

The Santa Barbara Police Chief, Kelly Gordon, has clarified that the new bike laws are not intended to criminalize cycling but to curb "bad actors" and encourage safe riding practices. The changes are also meant to enable law enforcement to engage in a dialogue with parents who may be unaware of their children's dangerous riding habits. The amendments to the laws are not initiated by the police department or the city attorney but are a result of requests from residents and recommendations by the City Council.

The current bicycle ordinance in Santa Barbara does not explicitly include e-bikes, and the proposed changes aim to place e-bikes on the same level as bicycles, simplifying the language and consolidating the regulations in one chapter. This would mean that infractions could be handled administratively, with fines ranging from $100 for the first offense to up to $500 for three offenses in a year. One significant change would be the authority given to the police to impound a juvenile's e-bike if they are found to be riding unsafely, which includes riding against the flow of traffic, not yielding to vehicles or pedestrians, and carrying passengers when not designed for it.

To promote safety, the City of Santa Barbara recommends that e-bike riders always wear a helmet, bright clothing, and use lights when visibility is low. It is also important to check your tires, brakes, chain, and quick-release levers before each ride. Additionally, e-bike riders must follow the same rules as vehicles, including stopping at red lights and stop signs, and using hand signals to communicate with those around them.

The city is also working on constructing a separate bike pathway called the "Beachway" along the heavily trafficked Cabrillo sidewalk to keep pedestrians and cyclists separated.

Bicycle registration and licensing

In Santa Barbara, it is illegal to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk. Bicycle riders must keep to the roads or "sharrow" lanes specifically marked for bicycle use. This means that bicycle riders in Santa Barbara have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers.

All bicycles in Santa Barbara must be registered and issued a license by the city. Failure to do so can result in a fine and the bike may be impounded, requiring a fee to be retrieved. The exception to this rule is for rented bicycles, which are covered by the registration of the rental business.

The City of Santa Barbara has partnered with MOVE Santa Barbara County to promote education about the rules of the road and basic bicycle handling skills to empower both adults and children to ride safely on the streets. This includes the Freedom to Ride: Bicycle Education Curriculum, a free resource, as well as adult Street Skills clinics, after-school courses, and Summer Cycling Camps.

The city also provides public bicycle parking, or "Bicycle Hitching Posts", on city streets for cyclists to securely lock their bikes near commercial areas. There are also two fully enclosed and secure bicycle parking facilities in the city, with the larger one located in the Granada Garage parking structure at 1219 Anacapa Street, and the second at the Downtown Transit Center.

The city's bicycle ordinance does not currently include e-bikes, which have boomed in popularity since the pandemic. However, there have been discussions about potential changes to the ordinance to simplify the language and place e-bikes on the same level as bicycles. This would mean that infractions could be handled administratively, with fines starting at $100 for the first offense and increasing to up to $500 for three offenses in one year.

Bicycle parking

In Santa Barbara, the city provides public bicycle parking, or "Bicycle Hitching Posts", on city streets for cyclists to securely lock their bikes near commercial areas. The city is open to taking requests for bicycle parking in public areas and can offer guidance and options for on-site bicycle parking. The city also has two fully enclosed and secure bicycle parking facilities. The larger facility is located in the Granada Garage parking structure at 1219 Anacapa Street, and the second is at the Downtown Transit Center.

The city's Bike Spot offers secure bicycle parking for those commuting by bicycle. All parked bikes must display a permit decal, and only one bike may be parked at a time. Bikes left in the Bike Spot for longer than 14 days may be removed, as it is not intended for long-term storage. Membership is available to commuters working in the downtown area, who will need to provide their bicycle information and their place of employment to confirm eligibility.

In Santa Barbara, it is illegal to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk, and all bicycles must be registered and issued a license by the city. The one exception to this is for rented bicycles, which do not need to be registered, although the business that owns them must register them. These laws were discussed by Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Gordon, who wanted to make it clear that the new bike laws were not intended to criminalize cycling but to curb "bad actors" and encourage safe riding.

Bicycle lanes and road safety

Santa Barbara has a robust bike network and facilities, and the city strives for equality among all modes of transportation. However, there has been a rise in e-bike collisions, with 80 crashes in 2024, up from 10 in 2022. As a result, the city has proposed amendments to the bicycle ordinance to improve road safety and reduce dangerous riding, particularly among juveniles.

One key change is the inclusion of e-bikes in the definition of bicycles, which will simplify the language and condense the regulations into one chapter. This amendment will bring e-bikes under the same rules as traditional bicycles, requiring them to use designated bike lanes and stay off sidewalks. The city has also proposed fines and impounding for violations, with citations starting at $100 for the first offence and increasing to up to $500 for three offences in one year.

In Santa Barbara, it is already illegal to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk, and all bicycles must be registered and licensed by the city. This rule does not apply to rented bicycles, although the rental company must register their bicycles. The proposed amendments aim to curb unsafe riding practices, such as riding against the flow of traffic, not yielding to vehicles or pedestrians, and carrying passengers on e-bikes not designed for it.

To promote road safety, the city of Santa Barbara offers resources on how to be more active on a bike, what paths to take, and how to secure your bike properly. The city also provides public bicycle parking, known as "Bicycle Hitching Posts", near commercial areas. Additionally, the city launched the Bike Share Pilot Program in 2021 to reduce traffic congestion and promote sustainability, offering a fleet of electric-assist bikes for rent.

While some residents have expressed concerns about the proposed changes, the Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Gordon has assured the public that the new bike laws are not intended to criminalize cycling but to improve safety for everyone. The amendments are a response to requests from residents and recommendations from the City Council, demonstrating the city's commitment to creating a safe and accessible environment for all modes of transportation.

Bicycle riding on sidewalks

In Santa Barbara, it is illegal to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk. This means cyclists must stick to roads or "sharrow" lanes designated for bicycle use. The same goes for skateboards, roller skates, and inline skates, which are not allowed on any street in Santa Barbara or in lanes designated for motor vehicles and bicycles. Certain city sidewalks are also off-limits for these devices.

The California Vehicle Code (VEH) gives individual cities and counties the power to decide whether cyclists may ride on sidewalks. While Santa Barbara has chosen to prohibit this, other places in California may have different rules.

The Santa Barbara cycling ordinance does not currently include e-bikes, which have become increasingly popular since the pandemic. However, the city is considering changes that would place e-bikes in the same category as bicycles, simplifying the rules. This follows a number of accidents involving e-bikes, as well as concerns raised by residents about dangerous riding and specific practices like wheelies, swerving, and riding more than two abreast.

Santa Barbara Police Chief Kelly Gordon has stressed that the proposed changes to the city's bicycle laws are not intended to criminalize cycling but to improve safety for everyone and address the behavior of "bad actors." The changes were prompted by requests from residents and recommendations from the City Council, and the committee members have been supportive, provided that all concerns are taken into account.

To promote safety and education, the City of Santa Barbara has partnered with MOVE Santa Barbara County to offer programs like Street Skills clinics, the after-school Pedal Power course, and Summer Cycling Camps. These initiatives aim to empower both adults and youth with the knowledge and skills to ride safely on city streets.

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