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Student advocates secure board backing for statewide e-bike safety policy
Summary
Palos Verdes Peninsula High School students asked the board to support a Capital Convoy advocacy point urging a statewide policy requiring e-bike riders under 18 to complete a safety course; the board voted 5–0 to back the PTA council's advocacy point and students were invited to cast preferential votes.
Students and PTA leaders told the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District board on Jan. 28 that standardized e‑bike safety training for riders under 18 should be advanced as a statewide legislative priority.
Gayle Louie, on behalf of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Council of PTAs, introduced students Asher Freeman and David Birchfield who presented research and local pilots supporting a requirement that under‑18 riders complete an age‑appropriate safety course. They cited a journal article summary noting sharp growth in e‑bike injuries and pointed to a Ridgecrest pilot safety program as a local model.
Why it matters: trustees emphasized the public‑safety stakes and practical implementation questions. Board members asked about program cost, who would teach courses, enforcement mechanisms and whether the proposal would shift obligations to schools or law enforcement.
Student Asher Freeman said the district pilot at Ridgecrest required completion of a safety course and urged legislators to consider the district model as a statewide template. "Investing in proactive education along with enforcement will help reduce injuries, keep students safe, and empower young riders to be informed and accountable citizens," he told the board.
Board discussion noted prior local policy work on e‑bikes, and trustees encouraged students to anticipate legislators’ questions about cost and delivery. The board adopted a motion to support the PTA council’s Capital Convoy advocacy point; the vote was recorded 5–0. President Deane invited student board members to cast preferential votes to be recorded in the minutes; staff explained those votes do not affect the numerical outcome.
Next steps: the students will represent the district at the Sacramento Capital Convoy trip and meet with legislators and staff to present their advocacy point.
Quote: "Our goal will be to share with legislators the need for a statewide policy that would require e‑bike riders under the age of 18 to complete a safety course using our district's e‑bike policy as a model," Asher Freeman said.
