- City Council Discusses E-Bikes, Scooters, and Group Riding Safety
- Call for Entries! Arcadia Calendar Art Contest
- Enjoy a Taste of Arcadia & Meet Local Businesses!
- Mid-Autumn Moon Festival Returns
- West Nile Virus Detected in Arcadia
- Safety Spotlight: K9 Kopper’s Scent Skills Assist with Stabbing Investigation
City Council Discusses E-Bikes, Scooters, and Group Bicycle Riding
On August 18, the Arcadia City Council met to discuss micro-mobility devices – including electric bicycles (e-bikes), motorized scooters, and group cycling (pelotons). The conversation focused on balancing public safety with Arcadia’s transportation needs.
What Was Discussed?
- E-Bike Class Specs: California’s three-class e-bike framework and speeds (up to 20 mph for Classes 1 & 2; 28 mph for Class 3) were reviewed. Key concerns include traveling at high speeds on pedestrian sidewalks, post-market modifications, and the operation of unregistered, dirt-bike-style electric motorbikes (e-motos) that are not street-legal.
- Motorized Scooters (e-scooters): Existing state laws that prohibit motorized scooters on sidewalks, limit speeds to 15mph, and the helmet requirement for riders under 18.
- Pelotons (Group Cyclists): Large clusters of recreational cyclists using multiple travel lanes at once, including policies from neighboring cities that restrict group riding to no more than two riders across.
- Recent Rider Safety Incidents: Arcadia Police and Fire shared service call data that showed collisions and serious injuries have affected both adult and youth riders. Excessive speed, distracted driving (vehicles), and no helmets were identified as contributing factors.
- Community Survey and Feedback: Results from a summer survey effort showed strong resident support for clearer rules and regulations.
- 78% opposed allowing e-bikes and e-scooters on City sidewalks
- 64% opposed them on park trails
- 69% supported limiting group cyclists to riding two across
Next: New Council Subcommittee Formed
A Micro-Mobility Subcommittee was formed to further engagement on root causes and collaborate with key partners like the Arcadia Unified School District. The subcommittee will be led by Mayor Pro Tem David Fu and Councilmember John Han and will focus on evaluating regulatory models adopted by surrounding cities, update local municipal codes to establish clear and enforceable rules, and engage riders to foster safe driving habits.
Call for Entries! Arcadia Calendar Art Contest
Calling local artists! Whether you are a professional or a hobbyist, we want to see Arcadia through your eyes – what makes Arcadia one-of-a-kind? The City of Arcadia will feature the best submissions in its 2027 printed wall calendar. There will be 12 illustrations selected to be featured for each month. Artists whose work is selected will be fully credited and will receive a complimentary calendar. Enter your artwork by October 8 online.
Enjoy a Taste of Arcadia & Meet Local Businesses!
The Arcadia Chamber of Commerce invites you to the annual Taste of Arcadia food and drink festival on Saturday, September 19, at Santa Anita Park’s Paddock Gardens from 2-6 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of sampling food and beverages from local businesses, live music, photo booths, and a car show. The City of Arcadia is a proud sponsor of this event. Taste of Arcadia is 21 and over, tickets are available at TasteOfArcadia.com.
An Evening Under the Mid-Autumn Moon at the Arcadia City Hall Lawn
Enjoy an evening under the mid-autumn moon with live entertainment, kids' activities, vendor booths, food, and mooncake making. Join us Saturday, September 26 from 5–8:30 p.m. at the Arcadia City Hall Lawn for a free community celebration. For a more comfortable experience, attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs to watch live performances.
This event is provided in collaboration with the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce and Arcadia Chinese Association and is sponsored by Lexus. Parking is available at City Hall & Santa Anita Park, Gate 5. For more information, please visit www.ArcadiaCA.gov/Recreation or call the Arcadia Recreation Office at (626) 574-5113.
West Nile Virus Detected in Arcadia
The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District has confirmed the first detection of West Nile virus in Arcadia.
The infected mosquito sample was collected on August 18 near Baldwin Stocker Park.
Help protect yourself and your family:
- Eliminate standing water around your home weekly
- Wear EPA-registered insect repellent
- Keep pools and spas properly maintained
- Report dead birds at ca.gov
West Nile virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. While most people do not experience symptoms, those who do may have mild, flu‑like effects such as fever, headache, or body aches. The California Department of Public Health reports that West Nile virus activity has reached its highest level in five years and urges people to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Learn more about mosquito prevention at SGVMosquito.org.
Safety Spotlight: K9 Kopper’s Scent Skills Assist with Stabbing Investigation
Arcadia Police Department’s K9 Kopper, along with his handler, Officer Dylan Morrill, demonstrated exceptional scent‑tracking skills while assisting Glendora Police in a stabbing investigation.
On August 16 at approximately 6 p.m., officers responded to Barranca Avenue and Arrow Highway, after a stabbing was reported at a nearby business. Investigators requested Kopper at the scene to help identify the suspect’s path. Kopper quickly traced the route toward Grand Avenue and Arrow Highway, allowing investigators to recover key evidence and significantly reduce search time. The victim is expected to survive, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Since joining the Arcadia Police Department in October 2022, Kopper has responded to 200 callouts and has been deployed 91 times. About half of these deployments supported surrounding agencies, including Pasadena, El Monte, Covina, West Covina, Glendora, Monrovia, Riverside, Burbank, Montclair, LA Impact, South Pasadena, Alhambra, South Gate, Monterey Park, and San Gabriel. Kopper has assisted in investigations involving assaults, homicides, kidnappings, vandalism, and stolen vehicles.
Photo: (L to R) Arcadia PD’s K9 Kopper and his handler Officer Morrill with Officer Cvetkovich
Many of Kopper’s callouts involve locating missing persons with dementia or children with autism or Down syndrome. His ability to quickly identify suspects’ trails or locate critical evidence has made him a valued resource within Arcadia and for regional partners, reducing the amount of time needed to complete complex investigations.
