E-Bikes: What Comes Next

In August, we set clear expectations for E-bikes and similar devices at school. Principals report that most students are riding responsibly and that arrival and dismissal are going smoothly across our campuses. That is a real credit to our students and to the conversations many of you had with them at home. Thank you!

We are now ready to take the next step. Rather than moving toward a ban on E-bikes, we are building an approach centered on registration and education. Students who ride an E-bike that meets the standards below will register it and receive a numbered sticker. Registration also gives us a record of make, model, and serial number, which significantly improves the chances of recovering an E-bike if it is stolen.

Current Rules and Guidance on E-Bikes

• Class 1 E-bikes are permitted. These are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and assistance stops at 20 mph.

• Class 2 and Class 3 E-bikes may be brought to school only if they are set to Class 1, or the throttle has been removed or permanently disabled. Families are responsible for confirming this before a student rides and for keeping the device in that configuration. Reinstalling a throttle or re-enabling Class 2 or Class 3 capability will result in the E-bike not being allowed at school.

• E-scooters, E-motos, and similar motorized devices are not permitted on campus at any time.

• All wheeled devices are walked, not ridden, on campus, except in areas your school has marked for riding.

• Helmets are required for all student riders.

If you are not sure what class your child's E-bike is, check the manufacturer label on the frame, usually near the bottom bracket or on the down tube. Your school can help if the label is hard to find or unclear.

What Is Coming This Year

October. Staff will place informational tags on E-bikes that do not yet meet the standard above. A tag is a notice, not a consequence. It will explain what needs to be addressed and how to get there.

November and December. Registration opens at every school. A student brings the E-bike to a registration session set by the school, staff confirms it is set to Class 1, and the student receives a numbered sticker. There is no cost. Registration is a class check only, not a mechanical or safety inspection, and families remain responsible for the condition and maintenance of the E-bike. Your school will share registration dates and locations later this fall, with plenty of notice.

Beginning in January. Registration is required. An E-bike that is not registered, or that is not set to Class 1, will be secured at the rack with a lock and a note explaining how to have it released. E-bikes are released the same day by checking in with the office during regular office hours, and a student does not need a parent present to have an E-bike released. Repeated violations may result in the privilege of bringing an E-bike to school being revoked, a determination made by the principal. Students who begin riding after January, or who get a new E-bike, may register at any time through the school office. We will share more details about this step well before it begins.

Next school year (2027-28). Registration will happen at the start of the year and will include a short safety course. Stickers will be numbered and dated by year.

Students Who Need an Accommodation

These rules do not apply to wheelchairs or other mobility aids. A student who needs a transportation accommodation because of a disability or medical condition may request an individualized review. If the student has an IEP or Section 504 Plan, the request is reviewed by that team and any approved accommodation is documented in the student's IEP or Section 504 Plan. Otherwise, please submit the request to your school. Medical and disability information is kept confidential.

In Closing

For many of our students, an E-bike is how they get to school, and that independence is something worth protecting. Our goal is to keep that option open and make it safer for everyone who shares our sidewalks, crosswalks, and campuses. We are committed to observing how this works and adapting our approach as we learn more. We are grateful for your partnership, and we will keep you posted as each step approaches.

Jason E. Glass, Ed.D.
Superintendent and Chief Learner