Sadly I am reporting that OC Parks has started issuing citations to senior citizens and anyone else who rides an E-bike in OC Parks after their change to their ordnance OCCO 2-5-29(n) on July 16 2018. The photo below is one of two citations we have received copies of was issued in Wood Canyon Aliso Viejo, CA. The one pictured below was to a 57 year old female for just trying to stay fit riding her class one or two E-bike on OC Park bike trails. She is likely someones grand mother! Most people preferring or requiring the use of an E-bike in the US are over 50 years old making this a form of age discrimination. Unfortunately age is not a protected class.
We have learned that OC Parks has an exception for ADA which is a result of a DOJ 2010/11 rule for OPDMD devices (Other power driven mobility devices). Basically if you have a mobility disability and claim so verbally or can show state issued proof you should be ok to ride your class one or two E-bike in OC Parks. According to the rule no public employee can ask you the extent of your disability.
You can obtain state issued proof by completing an application, having your doctor sign off on it and bring it to AAA (assuming you are a member). They will issue you a placard and pocket proof on the spot free of charge.
We are riding in Wood Canyon in Aliso Viejo where we know that citations have been issued and will be testing the Ranger's knowledge of this exception. We will up date our Facebook with the latest information on this access issue. Be sure to follow/like us on Facebook.
If you have received this update, you are one of more than 2750 supporters that have signed the petition to rescind the e-bike ban in Angeles District Parks. We need to ask you for your help again to fight this new unfair e-bike ban in Orange County Parks. Please support with your generous donations and join the Electric Mountain Bike Association. The Electric Mountain Bike Association has 592 members. Membership is free. The more than 2160 petition supporters have not yet joined the Electric Mountain Bike Association to extend their support. If you are one of them we need your help again. Please take the next step in supporting this equal access issue. Join today to extend your support to fight the E-bike ban in OC Parks and around the country (US). Joining the Electric Mountain Bike Association only takes a few moments of your time. This is not a problem around the world. Most countries embrace e-bikes for their health and environmental benefits. The US is out of sync with the rest of the world on this issue. Please help us bring about change to allow seniors and everyone else to ride E-bikes in the park on bike trails. If it were not for E-bikes in most cases seniors would not ride a bike again. Thank you for your continued support.