Biking has always been a popular mode of transportation and a favorite form of outdoor exercise for Irvine residents. To support our City’s cyclists, there are more than 100 miles of off-street bike trails and over 250 miles of on-street bike lanes. However, the increase in the number of electric bikes (e-bikes) on Irvine sidewalks and streets has raised serious safety concerns.
To address the matter, Mayor Larry Agran convened a public hearing last November where the Irvine Police Department (IPD) provided the City Council with an update on the growing number of collisions involving e-bikes — especially among the City’s youth.
During the November 12th meeting, Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent and his team reported that reckless behavior and collisions caused by young e-bike riders have risen dramatically over the past two years. Irvine traffic enforcement officials provided a detailed report showing that the vast majority of e-bike collisions are caused by riders under the age of 18. IPD staff also presented an alarming video showing Irvine teens flying down City streets and pathways, crossing intersections without yielding to oncoming traffic, and demonstrating little regard for pedestrians and motorists they encountered…