Butte schools are developing rules for students’ e-bikes and e-scooters

What happened

The district is working on rules to restrict students’ use of e-bikes and e-scooters on school campuses after principals raised safety concerns. It is developing signage with its insurer and law enforcement and reviewing district policies; students who bring bikes to school are currently expected to keep them locked in bike racks and inaccessible during the day.

Why it matters to families

The changes could affect how students who ride e-bikes or scooters travel to school and store them on campus. Board members cited reports of young riders traveling at high speeds, including without helmets, as the district considers its response.

The evidence

At the September 28 special meeting, district leadership said there had been a large increase in students coming to school with e-bikes and scooters and that principals had expressed concern. The district was working with its insurer and law enforcement on signage and planned to review policies; the speaker said students who bring the devices to school must keep them in bike racks, inaccessible during the school day. During discussion, riders were described as traveling 30–40 mph, sometimes without helmets; the meeting did not establish those figures as verified incidents. No new policy was formally adopted at this meeting.

The source