The California Association of Councils of Governments presents the SBCCOG with a Eureka Award for their Local Travel Network.

Welcome

We are back with a Spring issue of "Turtle Talk," the e-blast with the latest updates and news-you-can-use about the South Bay Local Travel Network (LTN), a project of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG).

The LTN provides a way to make your local trips on safe streets and protected crossings for travel via small, low-speed vehicles (aka street-worthy golf carts, e-bikes, pedal bikes, e-scooters, etc.).  

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Local Travel Network Wins a Eureka Award

The Manhattan Beach City Council has approved a six-month on-demand microtransit pilot program in partnership with Circuit Transit. It's aimed at expanding local mobility options and reducing parking demand across the city.

The launch date has not yet been finalized, but the service will use an all-electric fleet of neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), sedans, and an accessible van, to provide affordable point-to-point rides between destinations throughout Manhattan Beach. Riders will be able to request trips through a mobile app or by phone.

This initiative will provide sustainable, community-focused mobility in an eco-friendly, convenient way to get around town without using your car. It is intended to connect residents and visitors to shops, restaurants, and transit hubs while cutting congestion and emissions.

During the six-month pilot, the city will evaluate ridership trends, fare revenue, advertising opportunities, and overall system performance to determine the possibility of expanding the service beyond the pilot phase.



What's Happening with the LTN?

San Pedro Residents Share Their Feedback

The SBCCOG conducted a community engagement event at the San Pedro First Thursday ArtWalk on April 2, 2026. Residents and visitors were able to hear an overview of the LTN and provide feedback on experiences traveling within San Pedro as the LTN moves forward.

Attendees were provided the opportunity to share their ideal destinations to travel to by placing stickers on a map of the San Pedro region and participate in micromobility trivia games. Additionally, attendees shared their concerns through a survey to help improve the safety of all road users within San Pedro.

Meet Wink Motors' Mark3

Electric micromobility continues to evolve with Wink Motors’ Mark3, the newest addition to the Wink Motors line up, new and fully updated for 2026.

Designed to meet U.S. street-legal requirements while maintaining the efficiency and accessibility of a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV), the vehicle's top speed is 25 mph. The model builds on a small, lightweight four-wheel platform intended for urban and short-distance travel, offering an enclosed cabin and compatibility with standard road infrastructure. The newest version introduces several upgrades that make it more viable for everyday commuting and errands, including an expanded battery capacity for increased range and integrated rooftop solar panels that provide supplemental charging. The vehicle remains limited to lower-speed roadways in line with NEV classifications, prioritizing safety and convenience over high-speed capability.

Together, these updates reflect a broader shift toward right-sized electric vehicles that reduce emissions, lower operating costs, and better match the needs of short urban trips, highlighting how NEVs can complement larger transportation networks.

New micromobility innovations and technologies are constantly emerging from around the world. Here we showcase examples of exciting vehicle inventions in the industry. Perhaps you’ll spot one of these devices cruising around the South Bay in the near future.



Meet Buzz Bikes' Beekeeper E-Bike

Electric cargo micromobility continues to become more accessible with the introduction of one of the lowest-cost cargo e-bikes on the market, the Beekeeper E-Bike at $999.

Designed around a compact utility frame, the bike uses a mixed wheel setup, with a larger front wheel and smaller rear wheel, to lower the cargo platform and improve stability. This makes it easier to load groceries, gear, or light-duty equipment for everyday trips.

Power comes from a 500W rear hub motor paired with a mid-sized battery, offering a range of up to 40 miles and a Class 2 configuration that includes both pedal assist and throttle, capped at 20 mph.

With a price point significantly below typical cargo e-bikes, which often start around $1,500, the model represents a notable step toward lowering the cost barrier for electric cargo transport. As costs decline, this highlights an emerging trend with cargo e-bikes becoming increasingly positioned not just as niche products, but as practical alternatives to replacing short car trips and supporting everyday urban mobility.

New micromobility innovations and technologies are constantly emerging from around the world. Here we showcase examples of exciting vehicle inventions in the industry. Perhaps you’ll spot one of these devices cruising around the South Bay in the near future.



E-Bike Registration and Special License Plates

Ever wonder how our legislators plan to address issues surrounding low-speed vehicles, mobility and traffic safety? In this Legislation We're Watching feature, we will spotlight a local, state or federal piece of legislation pertaining to

low-speed travel in a quick, easy-to-understand explanation. 

Assembly Bill 1942, authored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and introduced in February 2026, would establish new statewide registration requirements for certain electric bicycles. Under current law, traditional bicycles and most e-bikes are not required to be registered with the state, though local jurisdictions may implement limited bicycle licensing programs.

AB 1942 would require Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles to be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and to display a state-issued license plate. The department would be responsible for developing regulations to implement the program, and riders who fail to comply with registration or display requirements would be subject to infractions and fines.

To support implementation, the bill would create a dedicated Electric Bicycle Registration Fund, where all registration-related revenue would be deposited and used to administer the program.

By introducing registration and identification requirements for higher-powered e-bikes, AB 1942 reflects a broader effort to improve accountability, enforcement, and safety as these vehicles become more common on public roadways and shared-use paths. The proposal also marks a notable policy shift, addressing concerns about how e-bikes are classified within California’s evolving transportation landscape.

The SBCCOG supports this bill, along with AB 1557, AB 1569 and AB 2346. Read more about these bills and other proposed legislation we’re watching here.



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