Community
Increased Bicycle and E-Bicycle Enforcement
| Nature of Incident: | Increased Bicycle and E-Bicycle Enforcement | |||
| Report Number: | N/A | |||
| Location: | City of Ojai and The Ojai Valley | |||
| Date & Time: | On-going | |||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Ojai Patrol, Ojai Traffic Unit | |||
| Narrative: | ||||
| The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Ojai Patrol Station is increasing enforcement of laws related to bicycles and electric bicycles (e-bikes) throughout the City of Ojai and surrounding Ojai Valley following more than a year of focused community education and outreach. Over the past year, deputies have worked with riders, parents, students, schools, and community members to promote safe and lawful riding. Education has focused on traffic laws, helmet requirements, safe riding practices, e-bike classifications, and the responsibilities riders have when using public roadways, bike lanes, sidewalks, and pathways. As bicycle and e-bike use continues to grow, we continue to receive concerns regarding unsafe riding behavior, particularly around schools and in areas with significant vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. After an extended period focused primarily on education and voluntary compliance, deputies will now take a more proactive enforcement approach. Enforcement will focus particularly on behaviors that create the greatest risk to riders and the public, including:
The goal of increased enforcement is not simply to issue citations. It is to prevent collisions, encourage responsible riding, and improve safety throughout the Ojai Valley. Parents Should Know What Their Children Are Riding Not every electric two-wheeled vehicle marketed or sold as an “e-bike” legally qualifies as an electric bicycle. Some higher-powered vehicles, often referred to as e-motos or electric motorcycles, may look similar to e-bikes but can fall under different legal requirements and may not be lawful for a juvenile to operate on a public roadway. Before purchasing or allowing a child to operate an electric two-wheeled vehicle, parents should understand what type of vehicle it is, its speed and capabilities, where it can legally be operated, and what licensing, registration, equipment, age, and helmet requirements may apply. VoltVerified.org is one resource parents and riders can use to learn more about electric bicycle classifications and requirements. Bicycles and e-bikes are vehicles, not toys. Riders should wear a properly fitted helmet, remain visible, ride with the flow of traffic, obey traffic signs and signals, slow down around pedestrians, and avoid cell phones and other distractions while riding. Education will remain an important part of our approach. However, after more than a year of outreach and education, riders should expect deputies to take enforcement action when violations are observed, particularly when riding behavior creates a safety risk. The Ojai Patrol Station appreciates the cooperation of riders, parents, schools, and community members as we work together to improve bicycle and e-bike safety throughout the Ojai Valley. |
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| Prepared by: | Sergeant Gunnar Dike | |||
| News Release Date: | September 28, 2026 | |||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Sergeant Gunnar Dike [email protected] Deputy Eric Burnett [email protected] |
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| Approved by: |
Captain Tyler Abbott, Ojai Chief of Police  |
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Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511