UC Santa Cruz’s five-year agreement with BCycle could end early as the e-bike rental company seeks more university funding, citing bike and docking-station damage and rising operating costs. The bikes will remain on campus through at least the end of fall quarter, but students who rely on the service could lose access to campus stations if negotiations fail.
E-bike coverage
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Deadly e-bike crashes shaped three new California safety laws. Here’s what they do
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law allowing San Mateo County to restrict teens’ access to e-bikes. It was inspired by fatal accidents in the Bay Area community.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Carmageddon: County’s Go Bike! incentive program; RTC hosts coastal resilience workshop
It’s the last month for Go Santa Cruz County’s Go Bike! incentive program, which offers potential big discounts on a variety of bicycles and programs. Later this month, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will hold a public workshop on the San Vicente-Waddell Coastal Resilience Project.
Posted inLatest News
Carmageddon: Bike Santa Cruz County annual survey shows traffic stress, poor connections, youth safety among top concerns
Bike Santa Cruz County released its second annual survey report, showing that unsafe traffic, poorly connected routes and concern for youth safety are among the biggest worries for local cyclists.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
High cost of living and commuter demand prompt Santa Cruz’s GO BIKE! program to relaunch with increased e-bike rebate amounts
Due to the high cost of living, starting Wednesday the City of Santa Cruz will relaunch its GO BIKE! e-bike rebate program, with the rebate tiers increasing to $500 as a base amount and $1,000 for low-income individuals. The program is designed to provide workers with cheaper e-bikes and give commuters accessible alternatives to driving.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz City Council explores age, speed limits for e-bikes as they zoom through the city
City councilmembers say residents complain to them about speeding and reckless e-bike riders, and at their meeting this week said they want to explore pilot programs that preserve access to bikes for young people while keeping streets and sidewalks safe.
Posted inLatest News
CHP reports 32% decrease in e-bike crashes in Santa Cruz County in 2025
Following a year of outreach and education efforts, the California Highway Patrol counted a 32% decrease in e-bike-related crashes within the agency’s jurisdiction in Santa Cruz County. Crashes dropped to 36 in 2025 after 53, including one fatal crash, in 2024.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz says it wants fewer cars. So why is it making biking so dangerous?
Santa Cruz could lead the nation in safe, active transportation — yet city leaders keep stalling, writes local bike enthusiast Brooke Secor. While e-bikes boom and collisions rise, officials have not added even basic protections for cyclists and pedestrians.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Don’t wait for tragedy: Santa Cruz County must tackle e-bike danger today
Local activist Kevin Norton and surgeon John Maa warn that e-bikes are far more dangerous than most realize — especially for children. In California, e-bike crashes have surged nearly 19-fold since 2018 and were up 177% in Santa Cruz County in 2024, with some injuries resembling motorcycle wrecks.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Education, not local legislation, is best solution to e-bike concerns, Santa Cruz transportation board says
Santa Cruz transportation commissioners say education, not new local laws, is the best way to boost e-bike safety — urging state-level rules while police crack down on illegal high-speed models.
