New Albany police and schools outline rollout, enforcement and student education for e‑bike, e‑scooter rules
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Summary
City and district officials described the October ordinance that adds e‑bikes and e‑scooters to local traffic rules and explained the district's campus approach: class presentations next week, a communication blitz to families, temporary signage in March, and progressive discipline that may include confiscation for repeat misuse.
City and district officials told the board on Feb. 23 that a partnership will emphasize education, signage and selective enforcement after the New Albany City Council added e‑bikes and e‑scooters to local traffic rules last October.
"Council landed on 10 miles an hour," New Albany Police Chief Greg Jones said in describing the city's default speed limit for shared use paths and trails. "That is primarily going to be for residential areas, paths leading up to the school, to the middle of town." He added that class‑3 e‑bikes—capable of higher speeds and operable by throttle alone—have age restrictions and that some commercially labeled bikes can be modified to exceed intended speeds.
District administrators said they will start showing a city‑produced safety video in schools next week, hold presentations led by school resource officers across the district, and send a community messaging blitz to families. The district identified three campus enforcement priorities: helmet compliance for students 18 and younger, human‑power only on sidewalks (no throttling on sidewalks), and reckless operation (speeding, wheelies, double‑riding, use on turf and playing fields). "So helmet. So 18 years or younger needs to wear a helmet while riding e‑bike or e‑scooter or any bike on campus," the superintendent said.
Administrators said the district will favor educational interventions and incentives for compliance—house points, lunch passes and other privileges—while reserving progressive discipline when needed. Repeated misuse could lead to confiscation or a prohibition on bringing the device to campus. Chief Jones said law enforcement will emphasize warnings and parent notification early in the rollout and will use targeted enforcement for high‑risk behaviors and banned e‑dirt bikes.
The city will install temporary signs and pavement markings (permanent signs to follow) and expects to have those up in March. Chief Jones described a stop‑program partnership with the Franklin County health department that notifies parents when juveniles are stopped by police.
District officials said families should expect communications coming next week and that staff are coordinating messaging with the city and community partners.