Read the Pedestrian-Safety Ordinance For Town-Managed Park Paths and Trails (June 1, 2026)(PDF)

TO: Rob Ewing, Dianne Friedmann and Soran Fajeau
FROM: Danville Safety Advocates and E-Bike Access
DATE: June 1, 2026
SUBJECT: Pedestrian-Safety Ordinance For Town-Managed Park Paths and Trails

Summary

Our parks should be safe places. A parent pushing a stroller, a senior walking a trail, or a child toddling along a park path should not risk being run over and killed by an 80–100-pound vehicle traveling 20 mph or faster, at the hands of a young, unlicensed and untrained rider.

Likewise, responsible riders of legal e-bikes should not be forced onto streets to contend with faster, even heavier cars, SUVs and trucks.

These goals are not mutually exclusive. Instead of choosing one over the other, we need to match the right use in the right place under the right conditions.

To accommodate these competing interests, we propose an ordinance that allows e-bikes to be walked, not ridden, on Town-managed park paths and trails, subject to any posted exceptions for specific locations.

This proposal

preserves reasonable e-bike access while recognizing that pedestrians have priority in our parks;
promotes the overall safety of every user including e-bike riders;
reduces the risk of collisions, near-misses and the anxiety experienced by many park visitors today; and
encourages the return of those who have stopped using our parks.

Enforcement would be straightforward. Police need not determine whether it’s a legal e-bike or, as is more frequently the case, an illegal e-moto. Neither can be ridden in our parks. This ordinance will give law enforcement an additional tool for limiting dangerous e-motos.

E-bike riders would still be able to move through parks to reach destinations on either side although it will take a few minutes longer. For those e-bikes equipped with a “walk-assist” mode, the dismounted rider can use that mode to help push it. In our view, the added safety is well worth the slight delay.

The proposed ban will apply to all motorized two-wheelers (e-bikes, e-motos, mopeds etc.) and to e-scooters. E-bikes will continue to be allowed to ride on Danville’s nearly 60-mile network of Class I paths, Class II bicycle lanes, and Class III bicycle routes.

In short, the proposed rule is simple: Walk It, Don’t Ride On Park Paths unless the Town has specifically posted an exception.

Our goal is to assist Town Staff in developing a clear, fair, enforceable, and safety-focused ordinance that protects pedestrians on Town-managed park paths and trails while continuing to support responsible e-bike use in appropriate locations.

The Survey

The Danville Sidewalk and Park Path E-Bike Survey shows overwhelming public support for the proposed ordinance.

Danville Sidewalk and Park Path E-Bike Survey Report (May 11, 2026)(PDF)

The most common safety concerns were:

Safety Concern	Result
Pedestrian safety	89.2% — 653 responses
Speed of e-bikes	83.7% — 613 responses
Safety of dog walkers	61.2% — 448 responses
E-motos or electric motorcycle-type devices	49.9% — 365 responses

III. Recommended Action

The Town Council should direct staff to prepare an ordinance using the following concept:

No person shall ride, drive, or operate an electric motorcycle, e-moto, electric bicycle, motorized scooter, electrically motorized board, or similar powered device upon any Town-managed park path, trail, walking path, or pedestrian-priority recreational path, except where specifically authorized and posted by the Town.

Nothing in this ordinance shall prohibit a person from dismounting and walking an electric motorcycle, e-moto, electric bicycle, motorized scooter, electrically motorized board, or similar powered device upon a Town-managed park path or trail.

Use of manufacturer-installed walk-assist mode at walking speed shall be permitted only while the operator is dismounted and walking beside the device.

A person shall be considered to be walking the device only when the person is dismounted, walking beside the device, and moving at walking speed. Sitting on the device, standing on the device, coasting, pedaling, throttling, or otherwise using the device for transportation on a Town-managed park path or trail shall be considered riding or operation unless the Town has posted an exception.

The Town may designate specific park path or trail segments where electric bicycles or similar devices may be operated when necessary and appropriate due to path design, connectivity, posted shared-use conditions, or other safety considerations. Such path or trail segments shall be clearly identified by posted signage or other official Town authorization.

The ordinance shall not apply to wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or other assistive mobility devices used by persons with disabilities.

Further Explanation

This section elaborates on the reasons for the proposed ordinance.

Most modern e-bikes are equipped with walk-assist or walk mode that helps move the bike at a slow walking speed (usually 3-4 mph) while the rider is dismounted and walking beside it. This helps a rider move a heavy e-bike through a pedestrian area without having to push its full weight, but does not turn the park path into a riding lane.
Park paths are not designed to accommodate fast-moving e-bikes. They are for people who are walking, talking, supervising children, walking dogs, sitting near benches, accessing playgrounds, entering sports fields, or moving through parking lots and park entrances. Pedestrians are vulnerable because they move more slowly, have less protection, and may not hear or see a powered device approaching from behind.
Pedestrians and e-bikes are not a good mix. E-bikes can move much faster. They are heavy, quiet, quick to accelerate, and difficult to stop in time when a pedestrian moves unexpectedly. This mismatch creates serious risk on park paths and trails.

The concern is not limited to reckless riders. Even a careful rider poses a risk when operating a heavy powered device near pedestrians in a narrow or crowded park setting.

Children may run across a path. Dogs may move suddenly on or off leash. Seniors may step aside slowly. A runner may pass another pedestrian. A parent pushing a stroller may need the full path width. A family may walk side by side.

Powered devices add speed, weight, acceleration, and closing distance to these everyday park movements. That combination creates a foreseeable pedestrian-safety risk.

The risk is especially serious for senior pedestrians because age, balance, reaction time, and bone fragility can make even a single fall life-changing. A senior walking on a park path may not hear or see the device approaching from behind. If struck from the rear, the pedestrian may have no warning, no time to step aside, and no opportunity to brace for the fall. The impact can knock the person forward or sideways onto pavement, gravel, or hard ground.

For an older adult, the resulting injuries can be severe. A fall caused by a heavy e-bike, e-moto, or similar powered device can result in head trauma, concussion, facial injuries, wrist or shoulder fractures, rib fractures, hip or pelvic fractures, spinal injury, hospitalization, long-term rehabilitation, loss of mobility, and loss of independence.

Children are also vulnerable. They may move unpredictably, run across paths, stop suddenly, or be too small for riders to see quickly in crowded park areas.

People with disabilities may also face heightened risk because they may have limited mobility, slower reaction time, or reduced ability to move out of the way of a fast-approaching device.

A posted speed limit alone is not enough to protect pedestrians on Town-managed park paths and trails. Even at 15 mph, a heavy powered device can knock a senior pedestrian down with serious force. At 20 mph, the rider has less time to react, the pedestrian has less time to avoid the collision, and the risk of serious injury increases.
Without prompt action, several consequences are reasonably foreseeable.

Pedestrians will continue to feel unsafe on park paths and trails. Seniors, dog walkers, parents with strollers, runners, children, and people with disabilities will avoid certain paths or feel forced to yield to powered devices in spaces intended for walking and recreation.

Collisions, near misses and unreported incidents will continue. Many pedestrian conflicts do not result in police reports, but they still affect public safety, public confidence, and community trust (photo Osage Park) Confusion will continue for parents, youth riders, police officers, and Town staff. Without a clear ordinance, the rule becomes uncertain: some riders may believe park paths are acceptable travel routes, while pedestrians may believe they are protected pedestrian spaces.

Enforcement will remain difficult. A location-based rule gives police a clear standard. Without one, enforcement may depend on subjective judgments about rider speed, device classification, rider behavior, or whether the conduct was reckless enough to justify action.

The Town risks waiting until after a serious injury before adopting a rule that could have reduced the risk earlier.

The town does not segregate collisions and injuries by location. But local examples illustrate the concern. On May 19, 2025, a 13-year-old rider reportedly struck and injured Danville resident on a sidewalk near Revel Restaurant, and the incident was not reported to police.

On December 30, 2024, an 11-year-old operating a Rad Power e-moto on a sidewalk collided with an SUV exiting a driveway at the Town & Country Shopping Center (photo).

Although these examples did not occur on Town-managed park paths and trails, they show the same underlying safety issue: young riders operating powered devices in pedestrian-oriented or conflict-heavy environments. A Town-managed park path or trail creates similar concerns because pedestrians and powered-device riders may be sharing the same space.

This ordinance should apply to all Town-managed park paths, trails, walking paths, and pedestrian-priority recreational paths within Town parks and Town-managed recreational areas, including.

Danville Park / Area	Pedestrian-Safety Relevance
Sycamore Valley Park	Includes children’s play areas, water features, a reflection pond, and a jogging path through the park.
Osage Station Park	Includes children’s play areas, recreation areas, and pedestrian circulation areas.
Oak Hill Park	Used for family picnics, special events, youth day camp, and community gatherings.
Hap Magee Ranch Park	Includes walking trails, children’s play areas, picnic areas, and a dog park.
Diablo Vista Park	Includes children’s play areas, picnic areas, sports fields, and pedestrian circulation areas.
Danville South Park	A neighborhood park with shaded pedestrian and recreational areas.
Town Green / Library and Town Green area	A Town-maintained downtown park area used for pedestrian gathering, civic activity, and community events.

The ordinance should also apply to Town-managed trail and path segments, including:

Town-Managed Trail / Path Segment	Pedestrian-Safety Relevance
Diablo Road Trail / Barbara Hale Trail	A paved multi-use trail corridor associated with pedestrian and bicycle connectivity along Diablo Road.
Diablo Road Trail Project segments	Trail segments connected to the Diablo Road / Barbara Hale Trail corridor and related Town-managed path improvements.
Town-managed park walking trails and jogging paths	Includes walking trails, jogging paths, lakeside paths, and internal park circulation paths within Town parks.
Town-designated pedestrian-priority recreational paths	Any path or trail segment the Town manages primarily for walking, recreation, park access, school access, or pedestrian circulation.

For purposes of this ordinance, “Town-managed park paths and trails” should include all walking paths, jogging paths, paved or unpaved park trails, internal park circulation paths, pedestrian-priority recreational paths, and Town-managed trail segments located within or connected to Town parks, recreational facilities, open-space access areas, or Town-designated pedestrian-priority areas.

Town Staff should verify the final list of covered parks, paths, and trail segments before ordinance adoption and should identify any path or trail segment where a posted exception is appropriate because of design, connectivity, jurisdiction, or shared-use conditions.

Other California Cities Regulate Powered Devices in Parks

Danville would not be acting alone by adopting a Town-managed park path ordinance.

Other California cities and towns have already adopted local rules restricting or prohibiting e-bikes, electric micromobility devices, or certain classes of e-bikes in parks, park paths, trails, and recreational areas.

These local examples are important because they show that a Danville ordinance would be consistent with a growing public-safety approach in California: preserving pedestrian-priority park spaces for walkers, children, seniors, dog walkers, runners, families, and persons with disabilities, while directing powered devices to more appropriate locations.

For example, the City of Burlingame has adopted an ordinance prohibiting electric mobility devices in parks and recreation areas, while preserving access to designated regional trail corridors where appropriate (photo ).

Its public message is direct: “E-bikes may be walked.”

The Town of San Anselmo’s Memorial Park rules and regulations state that no motorized vehicles are allowed in the park. Failure to comply with this rule constitutes an infraction, except that a fourth or additional violation within one year constitutes a misdemeanor under San Anselmo Municipal Code section 11-1.02.

An infraction may result in an administrative citation, with fines beginning at $100 and increasing to $500 per violation as described in Town Resolution No. 4271 and San Anselmo Municipal Code section 1-6.01.

San Anselmo’s rule also preserves practical access because e-bike riders may walk their bikes through Memorial Park on the paths.

The recommended Danville approach is balanced: prohibit powered-device operation on Town-managed pedestrian-priority park paths, allow riders to dismount and walk their devices, allow walk-assist mode only while dismounted and walking beside the device, preserve access for assistive mobility devices, and allow specific Town-posted exceptions where appropriate.

A local Danville example already exists. Diablo West HOA has posted a rule prohibiting electric and motor vehicles on its greenbelts and pathways, citing Diablo West HOA CC&R 5.7 and a $250 fine per violation (photo).

This is important because it shows that pedestrian-path restrictions are not theoretical, unusual, or impractical. A Danville residential community has already recognized the safety concern and adopted a clear pathway rule to protect walkers, families, seniors, children, dog walkers, and other greenbelt users.

Anticipated Objections and Responses

The Town Council, Town Staff, and the public may hear several common concerns about a pedestrian-safety ordinance for Town-managed park paths and trails. These concerns are understandable, but they do not outweigh the need to protect pedestrians in pedestrian-priority spaces.

Common Objection	Response
“This is anti-e-bike.”	No. The ordinance does not ban e-bikes in Danville. It protects pedestrians on Town-managed park paths and trails while allowing e-bikes to be ridden in bike lanes, roadways where permitted, appropriate bicycle facilities, shared-use facilities where allowed, and Town-posted exception areas. It expressly allows e-bikes to be walked on park paths and trails.
“Where are riders supposed to go?”	Riders may use bike lanes, roadways where permitted, appropriate bicycle facilities, shared-use facilities where allowed, and specific Town-posted exceptions. Riders may also dismount and walk their devices through Town-managed park paths and trails.
“Kids need safe places to ride.”	Young rider safety matters. But the solution cannot be to transfer risk to pedestrians, including seniors, children, dog walkers, parents with strollers, runners, and people with disabilities. If a location is pedestrian-priority, young riders should dismount and walk their devices.
“What if someone needs to pass through a park?”	They may walk their device through the park. The ordinance prohibits riding or operating powered devices on pedestrian-priority park paths and trails; it does not prohibit walking the device.
“Can’t we just set a 15-mph speed limit?”	A speed limit alone does not eliminate the risk created by device weight, acceleration, quiet approach, youth inexperience, stopping distance, and pedestrian unpredictability. A heavy e-bike or e-moto traveling even 15 mph can seriously injure a pedestrian, especially a senior or child. And it is difficult to enforce speed limits.
“Education should come before enforcement.”	Education should be part of the ordinance rollout. But education works best when the rule is clear. A clear ordinance allows parents, schools, police officers, Town staff, and residents to communicate one simple message: walk your device on Town-managed park paths and trails.
“Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are different from e-motos.”	Device classifications may differ, but the pedestrian-safety issue is location-based. On a pedestrian-priority park path or trail, a powered device moving faster than pedestrians creates a foreseeable conflict. The ordinance focuses on where the device is operated, not on complex technical classifications. E-motos are not street legal anywhere including parks.
“This will be hard to enforce.”	A location-based rule is easier to enforce than a device-classification rule. The officer does not need to determine wattage, software settings, class labels, or whether a device has been modified. The question is simply whether a powered device is being operated on a Town-managed park path or trail where riding is not allowed.
“This will punish responsible riders.”	The ordinance is not aimed at punishment. It is aimed at prevention. Responsible riders can continue using appropriate bicycle facilities and may walk their devices through pedestrian-priority park spaces.
“The Town should improve bike lanes first.”	The Town should continue improving bicycle infrastructure. But pedestrian protection should not wait. Park paths and trails are being used today by children, seniors, dog walkers, runners, families, and people with disabilities. The Town can protect pedestrian spaces now while continuing to improve bicycle facilities.
“Police cannot patrol every park path.”	The ordinance does not require constant patrol. It creates a clear standard so police can respond to complaints, problem locations, repeat violations, dangerous conduct, and near-miss reports.
“What counts as walking the device?”	Walking the device should mean the rider is dismounted, walking beside the device, and moving at walking speed. Sitting, standing, coasting, pedaling, throttling, or otherwise using the device for transportation should be treated as riding or operation unless posted by the Town.

The central answer to these objections is simple:

This ordinance does not ban e-bikes. It protects pedestrians by prohibiting powered-device riding on Town-managed pedestrian-priority park paths and trails, while allowing riders to walk their devices through those areas.

Implementation, Public Messaging, Council Findings, and Collaboration

The ordinance should be implemented with education, signage, warnings, parent outreach, police guidance, and graduated enforcement.

Recommended implementation steps include:

Public notice before the ordinance takes effect
Signs at key park entrances, path-access points, and trail-access points
Outreach to schools, parents, youth riders, bicycle groups, and neighborhood groups
Initial warnings where appropriate
Parent notification when minors are involved
Diversion or education options for first-time youth violations
Citations for repeat, reckless, or dangerous violations
Periodic review of complaints, near misses, collisions, warnings, and citations
Police briefing and enforcement guidance before the ordinance takes effect
Clear definition of “walking the device” versus “riding or operating the device”
Identification of priority enforcement locations based on complaints, near misses, park usage, and pedestrian conflict points
Coordination between police, Town staff, schools, and parent groups before citation enforcement begins

Citations should be reserved for repeat violations, reckless riding, refusal to comply, unsafe speed, near misses, or conduct that creates an immediate danger to pedestrians.

The Town’s public message should be simple:

Protect Pedestrians.
Town-managed park paths and trails are pedestrian-priority spaces.
You may walk your device.
You may not ride it unless the Town has posted an exception.
Ride in appropriate bicycle facilities.
Walk your device in pedestrian areas.

The Town Council can support the ordinance with findings that:

Town-managed park paths and trails are pedestrian-priority spaces.
Pedestrians are vulnerable users.
Children, seniors, dog walkers, parents with strollers, runners, walkers, and people with disabilities rely on park paths and trails for safe recreation and access.
Powered devices can create pedestrian-safety conflicts because of speed, weight, acceleration, quiet operation, and limited reaction time.
E-bikes traveling 15 to 20 mph can create a serious impact hazard for senior pedestrians, particularly when approaching from behind on Town-managed pedestrian-priority park paths and trails.
A collision between a powered device and a pedestrian can cause serious injury.
Youth operation of fast or heavy powered devices has become a growing local concern.
The Danville Sidewalk and Park Path E-Bike Survey Report shows strong public support for protecting pedestrian spaces.
If Danville does not act, continued pedestrian conflicts, near misses, confusion, and risk of serious injury are reasonably foreseeable.
Enforcement based on device classification is difficult in the field.
A location-based ordinance is clearer and more practical.
The ordinance does not ban e-bikes in Danville.
Danville has an existing bicycle network of approximately 58.9 lane miles, and the proposed ordinance directs powered-device use away from pedestrian-priority park paths and trails toward more appropriate bicycle facilities where riding is permitted.
The ordinance protects pedestrians by directing powered devices to more appropriate locations.
Riders may dismount and walk e-bikes and similar devices on Town-managed park paths and trails.
Walk-assist mode may be allowed only while the rider is dismounted and walking beside the device at walking speed.
Limited posted exceptions preserve flexibility.
Education, signage, parent outreach, police guidance, warnings, and graduated enforcement should accompany the ordinance.
Police officers should not be required to determine motor wattage, software settings, device class, throttle capacity, manufacturer labels, or whether a device has been modified in order to enforce the ordinance.
The enforceable rule should be location-based: powered devices may be walked, not ridden, on Town-managed park paths and trails unless the Town has posted an exception.
The purpose of the ordinance is pedestrian safety.
Town Staff should verify the final list of covered Town-managed parks, paths, and trails and identify any posted exceptions before final ordinance adoption.

Danville does not need to wait for a serious injury before acting. The safety conflict on pedestrian-priority park paths and trails is already clear and foreseeable. This ordinance is balanced. It does not ban e-bikes from Danville. It simply requires powered devices to be walked, not ridden, on Town-managed park paths and trails unless the Town posts an exception.

Walk It. Don’t Ride It on Park Paths.

Danville Safety Advocates and E-Bike Access respectfully request that the Town Council direct staff to prepare a clear, fair, and enforceable pedestrian-safety ordinance that protects park users while supporting responsible e-bike access in appropriate locations.

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Mittlelstaedt, Attorney and Co-Founder of E-Bike Access

Alan Kalin, COL, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Co-Chair, Danville Safety Advocates

Bruce Bilodeau
Co-Chair, Danville Safety Advocates

For more information and amazing E-moto videos visit Danville Safety Advocates

Attachments:

Danville Sidewalk and Park Path E-Bike Survey Report (May 11, 2026)(PDF)

Danville Risk Assessment Sidewalk Operation of Electric Bicycles and High-Powered Electric Motorcycles(February 1, 2026)

Issues, Omissions and Unanswered Questions - Danville Staff Report 3.2.1 "E-Bike Safety - Local Ordinance Considerations (March 10, 2026)

Danville Staff Report 3.2.1 - E-bike Safety - Local Ordinance Considerations (March 10, 2026)

(See Risk Assessment for San Ramon Valley Unified School District, January 5, 2026)

Appendix A

Sixty-Five Public Survey Comments Regarding E-Bikes on Park Paths and Town Managed Trails

This appendix provides public survey comments submitted by residents and community members regarding e-bikes, e-motos, and similar powered devices on pedestrian areas in Danville. The comments are included to document the lived experiences behind the proposed Pedestrian Safety Ordinance, including concerns about speed, close passes, lack of warning, youth rider behavior, dog-walker and senior safety, enforcement, and the need to protect people walking on park paths, sidewalks and Town managed trails. Comments are presented in numbered form for ease of reference. Minor formatting changes have been made for readability; the substance of the comments has been preserved.

Public Survey Comments

I feel unsafe when there are fast ebikes on the path at Osage Park E-bikes should have to follow the same laws as regular bikes, which are traffic laws. Time of trying to educate families is OVER. Bikes need to be impounded, and riders (and parents of minors) should be substantially fined when infractions occur.
Kids on e-bikes and scooters are unsafe as they approach schools as well Our paths and sidewalks and streets are not safe because of these vehicles. Someone is going to be killed if this isn’t stopped AND enforced.
I was struck by an 11-yr old while walking on sidewalk in front of Revel restaurant. Gashed my hand. He tried to go around me but no room and gave no warning. d If these e-bikes go as fast as a street legal motorcycle, they should require a driver’s These kids are dangerous and irresponsible
We have a 16-month-old and this is a big concern for us. We have felt unsafe in multiple scenarios walking our baby in the stroller.
I use Osage Park every day. I have personally experienced children on e bikes paying NO Attention to walkers, dogs, etc. These are children too young to have common sense. I have friends who have been seriously injured by kids on these bikes - striking them when they come up behind them, knocking my friends down and causing serious injuries. This has been happening at Osage Park for a while. I am more concerned with the speed of the ebikes when their others are walking/jogging on Iron Horse trail.
Town paths that a wide enough for pedestrians, bikes, and e-bikes are part of an active transportation system. They require responsible behavior by all users including pedestrians. I have 2 young children (1 and 5) and I do not feel they are safe on trails and paths due to e-bikes.
It is a matter of time until a death like that of the 81-year-old man who just died from a kid on an e-moto happens in Danville.
Paths or sidewalks are not meant for e-bikes. They are for people walking without being afraid of a e-bike ramming into him or her.
Fully support prohibiting and have felt unsafe on sidewalks and public parks, specifically Osage Park Unfortunately the kids on e-bikes are speeding on the walking paths and have little to no concern for walkers - they don't even say "passing on your left" - just zip by. Also, we have had many near misses from head on in blind corners.
No problem with responsible, safe and courteous riders who know how to share paths with walkers/ dogs. The issue is speed, lack of courtesy and lack of enforcement. It might be possible to coexist on shared pathways if rules/ laws were clear and followed. Or, better availability of dedicated bike lanes to separate from cars and pedestrians. The speed and no notice of the biker’s presence puts both parties at risk. Seen several instances of young e-bike riders using texting and without shoes or socks
Within the past year or 2 I've often encountered e-bike riders while walking our dog. Most of the time they are going excessively fast (i.e. faster than a bicycle) and give no warning when approaching us. I am very concerned that one day either myself, my wife, or my small dog is going to get hit by one of these e-bikes. I think they should be kept off sidewalks and walking paths. Thank you for listening. The e-bike/moto needs better definition. There are different types and speeds. Age needs to be addressed. Adherence to laws needs to be enforced. Parents should be held liable for minors.
I don’t believe that should be allowed on any roads or pathways They should be off road only I am concerned with an ordinance that would force my e-bike riding children (compliant ebikes at safe speeds) onto the shoulder of busy streets.
This technology has evolved before infrastructure and legislation could address. The e-bikes are not street legal, but too fast and dangerous for traditional bike paths, sidewalks and definitely shopping areas. Because of the affluence in this town, they are very common and usually driven by minors who cannot adequately control them. Until proper paths can be provided, these bikes should be illegal in the town for everyone’s safety. And parents should concur, as DA’s are now inclined to charge the parents if a severe injury or death occurs. I was almost hit by an e-bike when I was running. They were not watching ahead of them, were looking back at a friend and I had to jump off the bath to keep from being hit by him. They are going so fast there is less time for either ebiker or pedestrian to react. Drivers of e-bike are not trained to drive such fast equipment. No problem with slow electric assist bikes.
Ebikes are unsafe on walkways. Concerned about e-bikes or bicycles speeding and driving irresponsibly. We are also concerned about bicycle riders riding side by side or in packs irresponsibly.
I am a doctor. I see the potential here for traumatic Brain injuries and death, due to unsafe practices and inexperience Have many encountered ebikes on residential sidewalks. Less certain of risks on park paths. They need some type of regulation. Speed limits and perhaps making “souped up” motors ineligible for park trail and sidewalk use? How about we license the drivers and inspect the bikes?
Walking on a park path, I was accosted by a handful of e-bike riders that I judged to be middle-school age. They were speeding and circling in and around me, showing off their e-bikesin a reckless manner. Their riding behavior was alarming to say the least. Out of control with speed and disregard for others.
There should be no riding on sidewalks, park paths, or in the automobile lane of a road, they should be required to be in the bike lane or riding next to curb.
I am 70. Almost killed on the trail by idiot kid on e bike. Called police and they told me there is nothing they can do. There have been 9 E-bike vs Vehicle Collisions In the last 16 months (2025 to April 29, 2026) according to Official Danville Collision Summary Reports...
I walk at Osage Park most days of the week and have seen too many close calls between e-bikes and pedestrians. They’re not supposed to be on the trails of Osage but they ‘just cut through’ getting to school or to other streets. They are going much faster than regular bikes and they’re driven by young kids who have no idea of the human damage they will cause if they make a wrong move. They shouldn’t be allowed on any surface designated as walking paths for with pedestrians. It’s dangerous to everyone and it opens Danville up to potentially huge settlements in case of lawsuits.
It’s too dangerous to allow the E-Bikes and E-motos on sidewalks and parks. I have seen too many terrifying close calls on our sidewalks and parks.
My issue is is with how you combined sidewalks and paths. I have no issue with the use of Park paths though I do believe there should be speed limits. I do, however agree that there shouldn’t be bikes on sidewalks. That should never be allowed except for short on and off transitions.
It's especially frustrating when the kids ride their bikes after school and without a care for cars on the roads. More so when they ride in a pack. These kids try to perform stunts and zig zag on the streets. I often walk around Osage Park, and I do not feel safe from these electric vehicles. I am a senior citizen. E-bikes should only be allowed in bike lanes as regular bikes and never riding opposed to traffic. Those in the bike lane would only be allowed for pedal assisted bikes at speeds not exceeding 20 mph. Any bike operating in throttle should be in the car lane in direction of normal flow of traffic, obey traffic laws and carry a driver’s license. It is not unusual for throttle only bikes to approach intersections going against the flow. This endangers cyclists riding in the bike lane in the direction of traffic flow. Since pedestrians also walk bike lanes rather than on sidewalks opposing the flow of traffic. Bike lanes have become congested. Drivers have to be even more cautious at intersections due to speed of e-bikes especially in neighborhoods where parked cars and landscaping reduce visibility.
E biker consistently ride on the sidewalks in downtown Danville I was almost hit by teenager who was riding e-bike on the sidewalk in front of Trader Joes.
Really scared to go for a walk on our sidewalks anymore due to the number and frequency of e-bikes and their speed.
Dangerous vehicles - something must be done to prevent injuries or worse. As a runner, there have been multiple times where an e-bike has zoomed past me on a sidewalk or trail at an unsafe speed.
I was almost hit on two different occasions from kids on e-bikes on sidewalk along Diablo Road
E-bikes are all over -had 2-3 ebikes on the sidewalk & almost hit my car coming from an business driveway
I have had a person on an e-bike approach from behind too quickly without a bike bell or a call “on your left”. I could have been hit and felt fortunate I wasn’t. I hate to take away trails for all, if they would just obey speed limits and be courteous to walkers. This ordinance is WAY overdue
Please ban these vehicles from sidewalks and enforce the ban before someone is seriously injured
I have witness multiple pedestrian / e bike accidents and near accidents in the Greenbrook neighborhood on sidewalks and trails. It’s extremely dangerous. Multiple kids in a single e bike speeding around pedestrians and watching their phones while they ride their bikes. More people will get hurt. The iron horse trail is also particularly dangerous as kids speed 30+ mph around pedestrians.
I live in San Ramon and walk regularly at Osage almost every day. The speed of these E bikes and the irresponsible behavior of the riders (getting too close too to pedestrians, dogs, not calling out) is making a simple
As a walker with & without my dog, my experience has been horrible. The bikers just like cars are driving increasingly fast! Some kids apologize & others do not! They do quite the opposite! They high tail it out so you can’t describe them or their riding device.
Anything the town can do to regulate e-bikes and keep our kids and residents safe should be done. The law is behind in regulating the use of e-bikes. My biggest concern is middle school/high school kids riding these with no bike etiquette and they don’t understand the power of the bike/scooter they’re riding.
They are dangerous for the kids and pedestrians Thanks for doing this survey - hope this greatly reduces the accidents that kids and others are faced by this new technology.
Kids on motorized bikes are a menace to themselves and others!!
They are operating them like a motorcycle, therefore, should be on the road.
E-bikes are to dangerous and where they are allowed to be ridden needs to be regulated
I want to stress again that the concern we all have is with children/teen use/abuse of ebikes and emotorcycles.
I can’t believe it’s gone on this long. How is it not defined as a motor vehicle?
Ebikes are getting a pass because they are electric. The same bike or scooter would be illegal if it was gasoline powered.
Save our kids and pedestrians. Allowing these e-bikes for kids is a disaster waiting to happen.
I think it’s great kids and teens are outside and riding bikes, but they are doing it in an unsafe way for everyone, including themselves. The bikes go too fast and don’t require a license which is really dangerous for young kids who maybe haven’t been taught how to be safe on the road.
Kids are reckless and ride too fast while not looking out for others.
The kids don't care. They don't call out, or use a bell when they approach at 30+MPH. They laugh and flip you off. Almost all drivers are middle schoolers. I feel 16 should be the legal age for all e bikes.
I have had too many close encounters with e-bikes while walking with my grandchildren. Some kids are polite and will call out from behind, but most don’t while moving by us very quickly. My young grandchildren were within a few inches of being hit.
E-bike penalties for kids need to be much steeper. Parents need to be held accountable.
Seriously concerned about the well-being of minors riding these bikes. They are kids being kids that don’t have the ability to understand the consequences to themselves, their families if something happens or to others. I would hate for anything to happen to the kids or anyone else.
Groups and excessive speed are dangerous
An ordinance will Make it easier to stop this behavior
So worried one of these kids is going to die before we get this all resolved. Soooo many kids breaking the rules… as are their parents by allowing it!
These e-bikes are going to kill a child - not the child using the bike, but an innocent child they run into by accident. Then, the city will be sued and will be in serious trouble.
I’m concerned with the amount of kids riding e-bikes in reckless ways.
Safety of children and older people is of high concern
These bikes are going 25 to even 50 miles an hour. And often times ridden by people who have not even been alive for a decade. There's no way they possess the maturity or any kind of skill set that would be safe for them to operating such a fast moving piece of equipment.
These motorizes bikes are no different than motorcycles
Kids driving too fast out of control
My life is endangered constantly from these e-bikes! These "bikes" are not meant for the middle schoolers who are riding them recklessly all over Danville. Let's not wait until a child is killed to do something about this problem.
I've nearly been hit a E-moto while I was walking my dog
The kids riding these have no respect for the law
The kids ride very fast, and they don’t have any concern for pedestrians or dogs. As a matter of fact, if a dog is terrified, they’ll circle back again and again.
.Thank you for doing this survey, I recently was walking with my younger kids and dogs when a group of e-bikes came through, and my kids were startled by the speed and zooming by.
Twice I came very close to being taken down by e-bike rider at Osage park.
The e bikes speed through the Alexan Apartments parking lot to cross the bridge to the Danville Library both in and out
They should be treated like mopeds even if they don’t exceed 20 miles an hour. It’s common to see children under 13 going fast in these bikes
Twice I came very close to being taken down by e-bike rider at Osage park. I've witnesses too many kids speeding and/or nearly losing control of their e-bike around young kids.

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