Oceanside board moves to ban e-bikes on school grounds after two students seriously injured
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Harrington and district security director Sean Sharkey told the board that two students were seriously injured in a recent e-bike accident; the district will add e-bikes to its code of conduct as prohibited on school property and urged community reporting while Nassau County increases enforcement under a recently enacted local law.
Two student injuries and a county enforcement push prompted the Oceanside Union Free School District Board of Education on Dec. 17 to ratify a new, stricter approach to electric bikes and scooters, the superintendent said.
"The accident occurred because they were both riding e-bikes in a less-than-safe manner," Dr. Harrington said, identifying the recent incident that left one student with life-altering injuries and another receiving homebound instruction. Dr. Harrington announced the district will add e-bikes to its student code of conduct so they will be illegal on school grounds at any time and subject to disciplinary action.
Sean Sharkey, the district’s director of security, told the board the change comes amid a broader spike in e-bike and e-scooter incidents in Nassau County. "There’s been approximately 350, to date about 350, e-bikes and e-scooters that have been recovered," Sharkey said, and he noted Nassau County enacted a miscellaneous law (referred to in the meeting as Title 61) in late 2024 that places stricter local limits than the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. Sharkey summarized enforcement elements he said officers are using: operators should be 16 or older, must wear a helmet, may not exceed 20 mph and may not ride on sidewalks.
Sharkey and Dr. Harrington urged residents to report illegal operation. "If we see or you see an electric bike or scooter being used illegally, it is your responsibility to call 911," Dr. Harrington said, describing police follow-up that can include confiscation and other enforcement actions. The superintendent emphasized that district disciplinary steps (including possible suspension) can apply even when bikes are found on school property during weekends when grounds are open to the community.
A public commenter, Cindy, told the board she has observed dangerous riding behaviors in the community and expressed support for the district’s and county’s stepped-up enforcement.
The board did not adopt new local ordinance text during the meeting; instead, district officials described the policy change (addition to the code of conduct) and outlined how Nassau County enforcement and school discipline would be applied. Officials said the district will communicate the updated conduct expectations to families and staff. The district’s security office and local police will be the primary enforcement points going forward.
Next steps: the district will finalize the code language to add e-bikes and scooters as prohibited items on school grounds, distribute guidance to families and staff, and rely on Nassau County police for criminal or civil enforcement when officers determine it is warranted.