Council Adopts E-Bike Park Ban, Hears Plans for Iron Horse Bicycle Expressway

Danville's Town Council unanimously banned e-bikes and scooters from all Town parks, capping a two-year resident push for action, then turned to a pair of generational trail investments — a bicycle expressway on the Iron Horse Trail and a 30-year gap closure on Diablo Road — that could reshape how the San Ramon Valley moves on two wheels and two feet. The July 7 meeting was also the first held under a new state law requiring live broadcast and Zoom public participation.

• E-bike ban adopted unanimously on second reading after four residents demanded strict enforcement; staff launching education blitz with schools before Aug. 13
• Iron Horse Trail bicycle expressway pilot unveiled by County Supervisor Candace Andersen; first phase 65% designed, targeting 2027 construction
• Diablo Road Trail clears PG&E and wildlife hurdles, with pole replacement set for July 22 and 71 working days remaining in a tight creek construction window
• Street Smarts program expanded e-bike education to over 12,000 students across 30 schools, adding Danville's new ordinance to its curriculum
• Youth Ride Free transit program surges from 1,600 to nearly 27,000 student riders, even as transit funding faces statewide pressure
• Transit union president calls on Council to advocate for County Connection operating funds

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E-Bikes Banned From All Danville Parks

Why it matters: After two years of resident complaints about reckless riding on park paths — and with state e-bike legislation stalled — Danville acted on its own, giving police a bright-line rule: bikes of any kind are now prohibited in Town parks.

Where things stand: The Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 2026-02 on second reading (For: 5, Against: 0), amending Municipal Code section 13-2.3o to ban all bicycles, e-bikes, and motorized scooters in Town parks. The item was pulled from the consent calendar for a public hearing that drew four speakers — all in support.

Harriet Neely, a resident near Osage Park, expressed relief, describing instances of reckless riding and vulgar language from e-bike users toward older residents. Brian Hughes, a 37-year resident, pushed for firm penalties including impoundment and periodic police presence at parks and schools, arguing that rules without enforcement are "absolutely useless."

Chuck Prees, a 45-year Danville resident who has advocated on e-bikes for two years, noted the story had reached as far as Texas and zeroed in on the enforcement question. "It's not a matter of if, it's just a matter of when" someone gets seriously injured, he said. Stephen Mayfield, calling in via Zoom, raised a pointed concern: existing leash law signs at Osage Park say "strictly enforced" but are "not even remotely enforced."

The other side: Council members didn't push back on the ban itself — but they addressed the enforcement skepticism head-on. Councilmember Renee Morgan said the clear guidelines now make enforcement possible and urged residents to report violations. "I don't think any of us up here have ever done anything just because of the fact we want to get reelected," she said. "We're up here because we truly care about the town of Danville."

Mayor Newell Arnerich said the ordinance was deliberately designed for simplicity. "Either get off your bike or you don't. If you don't, you can be cited for that. It's not about what kind of bike it is."

What's next: Town Manager Tai Williams reported that staff has already launched a coordinated education campaign. Temporary park signage is going up; outreach to middle school principals and the school district superintendent is underway; and police officers will be stationed at middle school bike corrals by invitation of the school district — all before the Aug. 13 school start date. Councilmember Karen Stepper flagged the Aug. 4 National Night Out as an additional opportunity for neighborhood education.

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County Unveils Bicycle Expressway for Iron Horse Trail

The basics: The Iron Horse Regional Trail — a former Southern Pacific railroad right-of-way purchased by the county in 1982 for $10.6 million with transit grants — is one of the most heavily used multi-use trails in the East Bay. Rising e-bike traffic has turned the shared path into a growing safety flashpoint, particularly near nine public schools along the corridor.

Why it matters: A dedicated bicycle-only track, parallel to and separated from the existing pedestrian path, would address the top safety complaint from trail users across the San Ramon Valley.

Where things stand: Supervisor Candace Andersen presented the dual tracking pilot as an informational item — no formal action was taken. The first phase, running from Bollinger Canyon Road to Crow Canyon Road in San Ramon, is 65% designed and estimated at $2–$3 million to construct.

Andersen traced the trail's history and the legislative barrier that long prevented infrastructure changes: the corridor had to be preserved for future mass transit. In 2017, then-Assemblymember Tim Grayson authored AB 1025, which removed that requirement and unlocked the path to active transportation improvements. A 2020 corridor study subsequently identified intersection safety upgrades.

Engineer Carl Rohner, from Contra Costa County Public Works, announced that CCTA staff supports funding the next design phase — from Crow Canyon Road to Sycamore Valley Road, which runs mostly through Danville — through the One Bay Area Grant consolidated call for projects. Additional funding sources include a $1.5 million congressional earmark request from Congressman DeSaulnier, California State Parks grants, and potential Measure J renewal funds.

"My goal, I would love to see it built next year. We're hopeful to have these plans done by the end of the year," said Supervisor Andersen.

Council members asked about vehicle types allowed on the new track (East Bay Regional Park District limits it to bicycles and e-bikes), how to keep bikes and pedestrians separated at road crossings, and how narrow trail sections would be handled. A public commenter, Pratima, asked what performance measures the Town would use to determine the pilot's success.

What's next: The next design phase through Danville will be submitted for OBAG grant funding. If funded and constructed on Andersen's timeline, the first segment could be built in 2027.

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30-Year Trail Project Clears PG&E, Wildlife Hurdles

Why it matters: The 0.9-mile Diablo Road Trail would close a gap between the Barbara Hale Trail and developer-built trails near Mount Diablo State Park — allowing pedestrians and cyclists to travel from Green Valley Road entirely off-road past the Mount Diablo turnoff. It has been a community goal for three decades.

Where things stand: Director of Transportation Soren Fajeau detailed a series of critical-path challenges that have plagued the project. California Department of Fish and Wildlife permit restrictions caused repeated two-week delays due to active bird nests, requiring an amendment to allow tree removal during a period normally reserved for bat roosting — despite no bats being observed.

PG&E created the biggest headache. The utility refused to provide horizontal alignment data for more than 2,500 feet of underground power lines and vaults until the construction phase had already begun, forcing a complete trail redesign to maintain minimum two-foot clearance to subgrade. "PG&E refused to properly locate these lines until we were actually into the construction phase of the project," Fajeau said. "A complete redesign was basically necessary."

PG&E and AT&T guy wires were placed at critical locations — some after the project was designed and bid. PG&E initially refused temporary removal but has now scheduled pole replacement for July 22, possibly beginning with night work on July 21. The CDFW permit restricts creek work to June 15 through Oct. 15, leaving 71 working days and a concrete deadline of Sept. 15.

The trail will be 8 feet paved with 2-foot buffers on each side (12-foot total). Councilmember Morgan suggested considering center-line striping for directional separation. City Attorney Rob Ewing noted strong internal and external project management teams tracking the tight schedule.

Fajeau thanked Mayor Arnerich and Town Manager Williams for high-level PG&E advocacy that secured the July 22 date. Councilmember Stepper raised concerns about school traffic notification given the Aug. 13 school start.

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Street Smarts Expands E-Bike Education Across 30 Schools

Why it matters: With the state failing to pass e-bike legislation, local education programs like Street Smarts are the primary tool communities have to shape how young riders behave on roads, trails, and in parks.

The 22-year-old Street Smarts traffic safety program — federally funded through OBAG 3 with supplemental funding from partner cities — presented its annual update. Chris Weeks, San Ramon's transportation division manager, Dolores Pita, the program's coordinator, and Patrick Urbanis outlined a program that now reaches over 12,000 students and teachers annually across 30 San Ramon Valley schools.

Key components include elementary school assemblies covering crosswalk safety, helmet fitting, and trail etiquette; middle school assemblies where police officers differentiate between e-bike classes and "emotos" (off-highway vehicles that are illegal on public roads); the CHP Start Smart program for high school students; and a 21-year-old student video contest with 43 filmmakers and more than 80 participating students this year. A new "Walk and Roll" program encouraging walking and biking to school launches in September 2026, and a Community Bike Festival is scheduled for Sept. 12 at Arnerich Middle School.

Urbanis presented new slides incorporating Danville's e-bike ordinance into the middle school curriculum. Mayor Arnerich called the program's pivot to e-bike education "extraordinary" and noted that middle school girls are "devastated" to learn e-scooter riding is illegal for their age group. Multiple council members praised the program's longevity and reach.

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Transit Union Calls for Funding Help

During the Good of the Town public comment period, Judy Bariantos, president of ATU Local 1605, asked the Council to advocate for Contra Costa Transit Authority reserve funds for transit operations. She said transit has experienced cuts since the 2009 housing crisis that never recovered, compounded by COVID, and that CARB pulled $1.5 million from County Connection.

Mayor Arnerich clarified that Bariantos had inadvertently conflated two issues: the $26 million figure she referenced would come from SB 63, a half-cent sales tax measure on the fall ballot to bail out primarily BART and San Francisco Muni. CCTA's actual reserves, the mayor said, are less than $2 million in smoothing set-aside funds. Arnerich offered to personally clarify the distinction in writing.

The context: later in the meeting, Vice Mayor Robert Storer reported from his County Connection board seat that the transit agency operates on a $62 million budget ($59 million operating, $3.2 million capital) with $47 million in total reserves expected to draw down to $38 million by fiscal year 2027 and unfunded liabilities at 89.7% funded (~$14 million unfunded). Monthly ridership stands at 225,000.

The standout number: the Youth Ride Free program. "The first year it started, we had 1,600 or so students. Last year we had 25,000," said Vice Mayor Storer. The program is on pace for nearly 27,000 this year — exponential growth that underscores demand for free youth transit even as operating funds face statewide pressure.

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Minor Items

• Consent calendar approved 5-0, covering June 16 meeting minutes, Register of Demands, and four resolutions: Diablo Road Trail crossing improvements contract (Resolution 58-2026), subdivision improvements accepted at 375 W. El Pintado Road (Resolution 59-2026), $75,000 in TDA grant funds transferred from bicycle facilities to traffic management (Resolution 60-2026), and speed limit postings on various streets (Resolution 61-2026).
• Ordinance No. 2026-03 introduced (first reading, 5-0) to allow alternates on the Senior Advisory and Bicycle Advisory Commissions; returns July 21 for adoption, effective Aug. 21.
• Advisory body appointments approved 5-0 across five commissions: Bicycle Advisory (Ryan Ozimec, Angela Wang, Tim White; Ryan Rontiullas as alternate; Braden Peck as youth member), Parks Recreation and Arts (Joe Lindsay, Bill Pratt, Carol Mascali, Carl Table; Wade Lockhart as alternate), Senior Advisory (Joel Gollop), Library Commission (Nicole Dimmer; Robert Sanguidolci as alternate), and County Connection advisory committee (Michael Carr reappointed).
• "Meet Me in Danville" — a new economic development initiative from the Town Manager's office repositions community facilities as professional meeting venues; new Sycamore Inn management described as "extremely enthusiastic" about promoting Town facilities.
• Town Manager's operations highlights: Finance managing dual fiscal year transitions; IT installed new hybrid meeting technology; building division at 99% on-time plan review; maintenance completed LED sports field lighting at Diablo Vista Park (donated by Sports Alliance) and resurfaced Osage pickleball/tennis courts; recreation trained 125+ summer staff.
• FEMA Front Street slide repair appeal ongoing; Town Manager cautioned that FEMA grants face protracted deliberation and possible clawback, justifying healthy reserves.
• July 2026 proclaimed Parks and Recreation Month; Recreation Superintendent Ian Murdock received the proclamation.
• Fourth of July parade drew one of the largest crowds in years, per council members.