The Mount Lebanon School District board spent an extended portion of its Nov. 10 meeting debating a proposed policy update on bicycles, scooters and other micromobility devices on the way to and from school.

Mrs. Gellman, a board member, argued the decision should be left to families and favored reframing the policy so the district "discourages" elementary students (K–5) from biking rather than banning them: "A blanket, a 1 size fits all restriction feels inequitable ... it should remain a family decision, guided by safety education and parental judgment," she said.

Superintendent Dr. Fries and administration representatives said public safety officials and building principals had raised concerns about local streets, limited bike lanes and terrain that increase risk for younger riders, and urged that those concerns be reflected in policy language and future administrative regulations. "When we know as a community that mobility is an issue ... we have to speak up as administration which we have and say that we have a concern about it," Dr. Fries said.

Board members debated wording options — leave the PSBA template as-drafted, explicitly prohibit K–5, or include strong-discouragement language. Board member (speaker 10) said the draft was unclear and recommended changing the phrasing in the purpose section so the policy's message matches its prohibitions: "I would vote no on the wording of the current policy," that member said, while acknowledging safety concerns for younger children under current conditions.

Several board members noted the municipality is conducting a feasibility study or infrastructure work and suggested partnering with municipal officials, police and fire departments to coordinate a safer path forward for student bicycling. Administration said administrative regulations (designated areas, storage/parking) will follow once the board finalizes policy language.

Public comment echoed safety concerns. Resident Bruce Slater said: "Too much volume of traffic, too much speed ... it'll be stopped as soon as the first accident occurs, I think, if you approve it."

Outcome: No final board vote on a policy text was recorded at this meeting. The superintendent asked for suggested language and additional feedback before the next board meeting; the chair observed that "it sounds like we have a majority that supports the policy as written," while inviting edits and administrative regulations to clarify implementation.

Context: The policy discussion referenced a PSBA (Pennsylvania School Boards Association) model and noted recent changes in Pennsylvania law related to micromobility devices that prompted review of local policy language and administrative regulations.

Next steps: Administration requested proposed amendments ahead of the impending policy deadline and said it will draft administrative regulations if the board agrees on policy direction.