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Board weighs restricting class‑2 e‑bikes for K–8 campuses after safety briefing
Summary
District staff and Rockland PD outlined safety data and three policy options — status quo, restrict class‑2 e‑bikes for K–8 (allow class‑1), or ban all electric microtransportation for K–8 — and trustees signaled support for restricting class‑2 while asking staff and legal counsel to refine enforceable language for a December action item.
Associate Superintendent Marty Flowers and Rockland Police Chief Russ Banks briefed trustees on electric bike and scooter use at district campuses, presenting safety data, usage estimates and three possible policy approaches.
Flowers reported an on-campus daily inventory estimate of about 50–75 e-scooters and 200–225 e-bikes across campuses, and said officers’ data indicate a disproportionate share of collisions and risky riding behaviors involve e-bikes. Chief Banks described safety concerns: riding on sidewalks against traffic, speeding, multiple riders on a single scooter, lack of helmets and unauthorized modifications that increase top speed.
The board discussed three policy options presented by staff: - Option 1: Maintain status quo and continue education and enforcement efforts. - Option 2: Restrict class‑2 (throttle-powered) e-bikes for kindergarten–8th-grade students, permitting only class‑1 pedal-assist bikes to be stored and operated on campuses; staff suggested pairing a clear registration or sticker program and a grace/education period before enforcement. - Option 3: Ban all electric microtransportation (e-bikes, e-scooters, e-motorcycles) for K–8 students on district property.
Staff recommended community education, an initial warning period and collaboration with Rockland PD for enforcement; trustees asked staff to have district counsel review draft policy language because state law limits local ordinances on bicycle regulation. Several trustees voiced a preference for Option 2 (restrict class‑2 for K–8) as a measured approach that preserves transportation options while targeting the vehicles linked most to unsafe behavior; staff said they would draft AR/BP language and bring an action item for Dec. 10 if the board directed.
Trustees also suggested practical implementation steps: a voluntary registration/sticker program tied to student ID cards, designated safety zones where bikes must be walked, and outreach so families considering holiday purchases know the board’s likely direction. Rockland PD indicated school resource officers could support a phased enforcement plan.
The board did not adopt a policy immediately; staff will return with draft language and legal review for a December vote if the board directs.
