Proposed School District Policy for E-Bikes and E-Motos
November 25, 2025
This document was not written by SRVUSD staff and has not been reviewed or approved by the San Ramon Valley Unified School District or its Board of Education.
Proposed School District Policy for E-Bikes and E-Motos(PDF)
Introduction
Across California, school districts are taking proactive steps to address the growing safety challenges posed by throttle-equipped e-bikes and e-motos operated by students under 16.
Districts such as Menlo Park, Los Altos, San Mateo–Foster City, and Palo Alto have already implemented clear restrictions that limit throttle-controlled devices on middle school campuses, permitting only safe, legally defined Class 1 pedal-assist bicycles. Additional districts—including Carlsbad, San Dieguito Union High, Irvine, Dublin, Pleasanton, Santa Monica–Malibu and Clovis - have adopted or are actively developing similar measures.
Danville Safety Advocates and E-Bike Access share SRVUSD’s commitment to maintaining a safe, predictable environment for all students. In that spirit of partnership, we have reviewed successful approaches used throughout the state and prepared the following proposed policy as a collaborative resource.
This document is intended to support SRVUSD’s ongoing efforts, provide helpful statewide context, and offer a constructive foundation for continued dialogue on how best to protect students on and around district campuses.
Proposed San Ramon Valley Unified School District Board Policy
E-Bikes and E-Motos
- Purpose
The San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students, staff, and visitors. Consistent with the District’s efforts to promote Safe Routes to School and support healthy, sustainable modes of travel, SRVUSD encourages students and families to utilize traditional bicycles whenever appropriate.
E-bikes and other motorized personal vehicles, particularly when operated by minors under the age of 16, present unique safety risks on and around school campuses. These risks may impact both the rider and surrounding students due to speed, weight, and limited operating experience among younger users.
- Definitions
Electric Bicycle (E-bike):
A two- or three-wheeled device with an electric motor that meets the definitions of Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 e-bikes as described in the California Vehicle Code. This definition excludes e-motorcycles and other motorized vehicles that do not meet legal e-bike criteria.
Electric Moto (E-moto):
An electric moped, electric motorcycle, or electric dirt bike that uses a throttle to activate the motor without pedaling. These vehicles are significantly more powerful and faster than legal e-bikes and differ in power, design, legal classification, and operational restrictions.
Electric Scooter (E-scooter):
An electrically powered scooter.
Electric Motorized Board (E-board):
Any electrically powered motorized board, including electric skateboards or similar devices.
School Campus/Property:
Any property owned, leased, or operated by SRVUSD, including but not limited to school buildings, parking lots, athletic fields, playgrounds, bike racks, and locations where school-sponsored events occur.
- Policy Statement
Restrictions Based on Age and Vehicle Type:
Students and minors under the age of 16 are prohibited from bringing Class 2 or Class 3 e-bikes, e-motos, e-scooters, and e-boards onto any SRVUSD campus.
Class 1 e-bikes with a manufacturer- or retailer-affixed label are permitted.
Class 1 e-bikes that:
- include a throttle,
- can operate beyond 20 mph using the motor,
- exceed 750 watts, or
- have been modified
are not permitted on campus.
Operation:
The operation of Class 2 or Class 3 e-bikes, e-motos, e-scooters, and e-boards on school grounds—including playgrounds, fields, walkways, and hallways—is strictly prohibited.
Permitted Class 1 e-bikes must be walked onto campus and stored in accordance with school rules.
Parking and Storage:
Students may park Class 1 e-bikes only in designated bicycle racks.
No other motorized bikes or devices—including Class 2/Class 3 e-bikes, e-motos, e-scooters, e-boards, or any bike equipped with a throttle—may be parked or stored on SRVUSD campuses by students or minors under 16.
- Rationale
SRVUSD has observed increasing use of e-bikes and e-motos among students, along with increases in unsafe riding behaviors, collisions, and injuries.
School campuses—especially during arrival and dismissal—are highly congested environments with many pedestrians, student cyclists, and vehicle traffic. These conditions make the safe operation of motorized vehicles by minors particularly challenging.
Despite ongoing education efforts and work with law enforcement, additional measures are necessary to protect students, especially those under age 16.
This policy is based on the following safety concerns:
- Congested Arrival and Dismissal: High volumes of pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars create unsafe conditions for high-speed, motorized devices.
- Developmental Readiness: Many minors lack the cognitive, physical, and decision-making skills required to safely operate motorized vehicles.
- Limited Training and Experience: Young riders often have insufficient traffic awareness and riding experience.
- Passengers: Extra riders increase risk by affecting weight distribution and balance.
- Quiet Operation: Electric vehicles are difficult for pedestrians and drivers to hear, increasing collision likelihood.
- Increased Injury Severity: National data shows rising pediatric e-bike injuries, often more severe than those associated with traditional bicycles due to higher speed and mass.
- Availability of High-Power, Non-Street-Legal Models: Many e-motos exceed legal power and speed limits, effectively functioning as mopeds or motorcycles and requiring licensing and registration.
- Difficulty Identifying Vehicle Types: Class 2 e-bikes, Class 3 e-bikes, and illegal e-motos often look similar, making enforcement based on visual inspection challenging. As product designs evolve, Class 1 and Class 3 models may also become difficult to distinguish, requiring future policy updates.
- Compliance and Enforcement
Students who violate this policy may be subject to the following:
- Initial Implementation Period: The Superintendent or designee will notify families during an introductory period; no consequences will be issued during this phase.
- Annual Notification: Families will be provided annual notice of this policy.
- Monitoring: Site administrators or designees will regularly inspect bicycle racks and identify prohibited vehicles. The Superintendent or designee may require Class 1 e-bikes to be registered with the school.
- Violations: After the initial rollout period, any prohibited e-bike or e-moto found on campus will be locked and held by the school. A parent/guardian must retrieve it. Additional consequences or supports may be applied as appropriate.
- Law Enforcement: SRVUSD may collaborate with law enforcement when warranted.
Parking prohibited devices off campus to evade this policy is strongly discouraged. SRVUSD assumes no responsibility for the security or condition of any e-bike, e-moto, or similar vehicle brought onto District property.
- Scope
This policy applies to all SRVUSD students and minors under the age of 16.
It does not apply to parents/guardians, district employees, or authorized visitors over age 16, who may use legally compliant e-bikes for transportation and may park them on school property.
Prepared by: Danville Safety Advocates and E-Bike Access
This document was not written by SRVUSD staff and has not been reviewed or approved by the San Ramon Valley Unified School District or its Board of Education.