Dublin City Council Confronted with E-Bike, Air Pollution Concerns

DUBLIN -- E-bike efficiency and air pollution are local concerns.

Dublin Mayor Sherry Hu and the four-member city council heard from a handful of residents, young and older, on what matters most to them on Nov. 4. The agenda for the regularly scheduled meeting on Election Day had many items, but these issues were what residents wanted to discuss.

Public comment brought up climate concerns, according to OpGov.ai platforms reporting on the more than three-hour-long meeting.

"Too many lawmakers are scared to stand up to corporate power," Eloise Hammon said to the mayor and council, adding that two bills remain in legislation after being introduced two years ago.

She's not wrong.

Eloise Hammon shares her global climate concerns with officials, pointing out two pieces of pending legislation held up for two years

"Hammon advocated for the 'Make Polluters Pay' bill (SB 684, AB 1243) in the State Government, noting it has been delayed. She highlighted that other cities (Los Angeles, San Diego, Richmond, Alameda) have already supported it, and quoted an Alameda high school senior emphasizing that corporations prioritize profit over people, polluting communities, and that the bill ensures financial accountability for climate crisis damages," the OpGov.ai platform reports.

OpGov.ai Founder Chirag Kathrani shared his concerns on the same issue as seen in this video, and he lives in San Ramon.

"I am here to address the key issue is the climate super fund bill, which is up in 2026," Kathrani said to officials about AB 1243 and SB 684.

Increasing wildfires that affect Dublin, San Ramon, and adjacent communities frighten Kathrani and others. He advised passing a bill that would charge air polluters and using the funds to create a non-threatening ecosystem where fossil fuels do not directly contribute to climate change.

E-bike safety issues quickly followed climate concerns in the public comment portion of the meeting.

OpGov.ai noted a resident reported under the name Adan thanked the City and Police for recognizing the E-bike safety menace and passing an ordinance. With thanks, came concerns.

"The proposed penalties are disappointing and may fall short of being effective to create the change in bike rider behavior," he said. "I have seen firsthand the devastation these E-bikes can cause."

That devastation was when he found out an E-bike accident could have taken the life of his son, who spoke after his father.

"Council, I believe it is important to take matters in our city seriously," Rayann said, noting his accident last year. "I was in a serious E-bike accident that resulted in a head injury."

The high school student got personal telling officials how E-bike issues directly impacted his sports, school performance, and schoolwork.

"He highlighted the ease with which teenagers can acquire E-bikes and engage in unsafe driving practices," the OpGov.ai platform reports. "Rayyan advocated for a proper education program, partnering with the Dublin Police, City Council, and student advocates, to transform E-bikes from a 'destructive tool' into a 'safe privilege' for the community, including drivers, pedestrians, the elderly, and pets."

This real-time and real-life reporter watched the meeting to assure accuracy in the complaint, which it did all to well but did not note this frightening fact.

"The truth is many Dublin teenagers can buy an E-bike off Amazon and assemble it within a day, and be on the street the next day doing wheelies and tricks," he said.

"I think we can make E-bikes in Dublin a safe privlege," Raayan said.

The teenager admitted to needing proper education from officials.

Furthermore, and sad to report, the OpGov.ai platform reports that while "public comments showcased diverse concerns, from inadequate e-bike penalties to calls for environmental accountability and criticism of the Council's perceived involvement in national politics," the "non-agendized items received limited direct action beyond staff acknowledgment."

But it was a member of the public that was not present that really showed up for the cause as seen in the below report written by Stephen Wright. He sent it to the Patch, whether or not they print, does not matter, here it is below.

Wrights Pre-Write

DUBLIN - Hi Neighbors: At its Tuesday, 7 pm, meeting the Dublin City Council will consider updating its regulations of e-bike, e-scooter and other personal electronic vehicles on city streets and in its parks.

Below is a link to the council agenda, which has links to the staff report and ordinance changes. This item is 7.1. The agenda also has information about how to attend the meeting via Zoom or in person. Use this address if you want to email the entire city council: council@dublin.ca.gov.

Wright writes, according to the staff report, regulations are "intended to improve public safety, provide consistency with state regulations, and proactively address the growing use of personal electric vehicles in the community.

The staff report highlights the following components of the proposed Ordinance:

Definitions and Classifications - The designations provided in the ordinance align with state law definitions for e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, electric personal assistive mobility devices, and micro-mobility devices. The Ordinance also distinguishes between which vehicles are street-legal, and which are non-street-legal for use, according to the California Vehicle Code.

Use in Public Spaces - Provisions in the Ordinance establish rules prohibiting operation of certain vehicles on sidewalks and prohibiting e-bike, e-scooter, e-skateboard, electric personal assistive mobility device, and micro-mobility device usage in City parks unless used in a safe manner on designated pathways.

Enforcement and Penalties - The Ordinance provides law enforcement with the authority to issue citations, warnings, or impound PEVs where public safety is at risk. Violations are treated as infractions pursuant to Government Code Section 36900(b) or as administrative infractions pursuant to the Dublin Municipal Code Section 1.04.030.

Liability and Parental Responsibility - The Ordinance clarifies that the City is not liable for injuries or damages arising from PEV use and establishes parental/guardian responsibility for minors.

Wright's Post-Report

DUBLIN - The Dublin City Council has adopted "a new ordinance establishing rules for operating micro-mobility devices — such as e-bikes, e-scooters, and other small electric rideables — in Dublin," City Hall has announced. "The updates prohibit riding on sidewalks, require helmets for minors, and reinforce safe speeds and behavior in parks and public areas. The ordinance takes effect November 20." I couldn't find a graphic explaining the major changes but below is a link to the ordinance that was introduced earlier this month.

The City and Dublin Police Services have committed to a grace period so they can get the word out over the next few months, including an emphasis on educating students about the changes. These are city rules, not California Vehicle Code (traffic) rules. As such, persons cited in the future will face city fines that will start at $100. According to a staff report, the regulations are "intended to improve public safety, provide consistency with state regulations, and proactively address the growing use of personal electric vehicles in the community."

The earlier staff report highlighted the following components of the proposed Ordinance:

Liability and Parental Responsibility - The Ordinance clarifies that the City is not liable for injuries or damages arising from PEV use and establishes parental/guardian responsibility for minors. Lastly, here's a link to a story about the new rules that ran in The Independent..

Now this is where OpGov.ai comes in.

Directly after watching the meeting, the media outlet sent this email to Mayor Sherry Hu, Vice-Mayor Kashef Qaadri, Councilmen John Morada and Michael McCorriston, and Councilwoman Jean Josey.

OpGov.ai media request to all Dublin elected officials on resident concerns posed at the Nov. 4, regularly scheduled council meeting held on Election Day

Now we all sit back and see if they will respond.

Come back tomorrow by EOD to see if they have.