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San Juan Unified trustees favor targeted limits on high‑speed e‑transportation amid safety concerns
Summary
After a staff presentation on e‑transportation incidents, trustees signaled support for restricting high‑speed, throttle‑activated devices on elementary and middle school campuses and directed staff to hold community listening sessions before returning with recommendations.
San Juan Unified trustees on Thursday signaled support for a targeted policy to curb dangerous use of electric transportation devices near campuses while preserving safe options for students who rely on them for travel.
The board heard a staff presentation from Michael Jones, director of Safe Schools, who described statewide and local traffic data and specific incidents involving motorized scooters and e‑bikes. Jones said juvenile traffic collisions have risen sharply in recent years and that locally Citrus Heights police identified multiple collisions and impoundments tied to juvenile riders, sometimes involving injuries and a lack of helmets. "This has become a significant safety concern in our region," Jones told the board and said staff will develop an education and enforcement plan while exploring policy options.
Trustees discussed three pathways staff proposed: keep the status quo; restrict device types by age and grade (for example banning Class 3 and throttle‑activated devices for younger students); or prohibit all electrified devices on campuses. Several trustees said they favored the middle option as a starting point. "For me, I think number 2 is a no‑brainer," Trustee Ben Avey said, arguing that banning Class 3 devices is consistent with the law and preserves lower‑speed options. Board President Tanya Krawcheck said she would "vote for option 2 with the Class 2 e‑bike restriction," noting concerns about students' developmental readiness and reaction times.
Trustees raised enforcement and equity questions: how staff would verify age and licensing for high‑school riders, how to prevent nonstudents from riding near campuses, and whether restrictions could create transportation barriers for families. Several trustees recommended registration or a simple parental attestation to show parents understand device class and rules.
Rather than adopt a policy immediately, the board directed staff to hold listening sessions with families and stakeholders and return with recommendations in May. Jones told the board an educational campaign and partnerships with law enforcement and community organizations would be part of the next steps.
The item is a policy discussion; no ordinance or binding rule was adopted at the meeting.
