Enforcement begins Monday, April 8!

In a continuing effort to promote safety for students traveling to and from school, the District will enforce a new rule prohibiting e-bikes and e-scooters on school property for anyone under age 16 this spring.

“We have seen growing numbers of underage riders bringing electric bikes and scooters to school, even as we’ve reminded students and families that state law prohibits those under 16 from operating these,” Superintendent Steven Cook said. “Stakeholders and our community have asked for stronger measures to promote the safety of riders and the pedestrians who share sidewalks and pathways with them. We’re ready to do what we can to accomplish this.”

Middle schools in the District provided bike safety lessons earlier this school year and have shared safety resources with students and families. E-bike and e-scooter ridership among students under 16 has continued to be an issue, especially at our middle schools. This has resulted in some collisions leading to injuries, as well as many close calls reported to us from bus drivers and concerned community members.

A new District regulation states that those who operate bicycles, electric bicycles or electric scooters must follow Oregon motor vehicle and bike regulations and laws on school property. The rule also states, “E-bikes and E-scooters are prohibited on district property for persons under age 16.” This means the District will no longer allow any student under age 16 to bring an e-bike or e-scooter onto school property.

We are giving families time to arrange alternative transportation if their students are currently using, or plan to use, an e-bike or e-scooter to travel to and from school. Beginning April 8, administrators will contact students and parents/guardians about instances of violations of the e-bike/e-scooter rule. For repeated violations, the e-bike or e-scooter will be held at the school for the parent/guardian to pick up.