POLICY OPTIONS FOR STUDENT BICYCLE & E-MOBILITY DEVICES
An Action Plan for School Boards and Administrators
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Schools face a rapid increase in the number and variety of bicycles and electric mobility devices used by students to travel to and from school. While these devices can expand transportation options and encourage active transportation, they also present new safety and administrative challenges.
Most concerning, many schools have experienced increasing use of electric motorcycle-style devices (“e-motos”) that do not qualify as legal e-bikes under California law but often resemble them. And our ER doctors are reporting increases in motorcycle-type injuries suffered by our youth riding electric devices.
School districts have responded in different ways. Some permit only conventional bicycles, others allow pedal-assist e-bikes but prohibit throttle-powered devices, while others permit all legal e-bikes. Each approach reflects a different balance among student safety, active transportation, and ease of enforcement.
This guide presents three model policies designed to help school districts select the approach that best fits their community.
The three, ready-to-adopt policy models differ only in the types of devices permitted on school property. Each model:
· encourages safe transportation to school;
· prohibits illegal e-motos and other non-compliant electric vehicles;
· relies on California statutory definitions; and
· provides complete policy language that districts may adopt or modify.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR SCHOOL BOARDS
• Every district should adopt a clear, written policy governing bicycles and electric mobility devices.
• All three policy models prohibit e-motos and other illegal electric motorcycle-style devices. Under state law, these devices are not street legal. A school district faces potential liability for allowing students to use them.
• All three policy models also prohibit electric scooters for students without driver’s licenses or permits, consistent with California law.
• The key policy questions are how to deal with the otherwise legal pedal-assist e-bikes (Classes 1 and 3) and throttle-assist e-bikes (Class 2).
• Policy Model A prohibits all e-bikes, whether pedal-assist or throttle. It provides the highest level of student safety and the simplest enforcement.
• Policy Model B allows pedal-assist e-bikes (Class 1 and, for riders 16 or older, Class 3) but not throttle-activated ones (Class 2). It provides the best overall balance between student safety, active transportation, and administrative practicality.
• Policy Model C allows both types of e-bikes: pedal-assist e-bikes (Class 1 and, for riders 16 or older, Class 3) and throttle e-bikes (Class 2). It provides the greatest transportation flexibility but requires school personnel to distinguish legal Class 2 e-bikes from illegal e-motos and other motorcycle-style electric vehicles.
• Districts should inventory the two-wheelers parked on campuses and determine how many are Class 1-3 e-bikes and how many are e-motos. In selecting a policy, Districts should consider the importance of safety, student age, community conditions, staffing resources, and local transportation goals.
BOARD DECISION GUIDE
To select a policy model, consider the following questions:
· What level of student safety does the Board wish to prioritize?
· How many legitimate Class 2 e-bikes are present? At most schools, most if not all throttle devices exceed 20 mph and thus are not e-bikes.
· How much staff time can reasonably be devoted to enforcement?
· Are school personnel able to distinguish legal Class 2 e-bikes from illegal e-motos?
· What transportation challenges exist within the district?
· Which policy is most likely to be understood and consistently enforced?
The answers to these questions will help determine which policy model best aligns with the district’s priorities.
CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CLASSIFICATIONS
California law recognizes several different categories of bicycles and electric mobility devices. Because these categories determine which devices are permitted under each policy model, districts should understand the legal distinctions.
Conventional Bicycle
A human-powered bicycle with no electric motor.
Class 1 E-Bike
A pedal-assist bicycle that provides motor assistance only while the rider is pedaling and only up to 20 miles per hour.
Class 2 E-Bike
A bicycle equipped with a throttle capable of propelling the bicycle without pedaling. Motor assistance stops at 20 miles per hour.
Class 3 E-Bike
A pedal-assist bicycle capable of providing assistance up to 28 miles per hour. No throttles are allowed. California law limits operation to riders 16 years of age or older and requires helmets.
E-Scooter
An electric scooter as defined in California Vehicle Code section 407.5. Operators must have a driver’s license/permit and cannot carry passenger.
E-Moto
For purposes of this guide, an “e-moto” refers to a throttle electric motorcycle-style vehicle that does not qualify as a legal e-bike. These devices often resemble e-bikes but their motors are larger or capable of higher speeds than allowed for e-bikes. They are frequently marketed for off-road or unrestricted use. Simply having pedals does not make a vehicle a legal e-bike. A partial list of e-motos can be found on the E-Bike Access website.