Today's the day: As of Monday morning, all MBUSD middle school and high school students who ride their e-bikes to school must display a sticker demonstrating that they have completed an approved safety course.

The District E-Bike Safety Program requirements apply to Manhattan Beach Middle School and Mira Costa High School students for now. The policy will go into effect for 4th and 5th grade elementary students on December 9. All e-bikes must display the sticker to be allowed to park on campus.

“Ensuring the safety of our staff and students remains a top priority," said MBUSD Superintendent John Bowes. "We’re excited to introduce and implement the E-Bike Safety Program to equip our students with the essential road safety skills and awareness to protect themselves and others. Our goal is to educate young riders to make responsible and informed decisions on the road.”

To receive the MBUSD-certified sticker, students had to complete a safety course through one of two private companies, E-Bike Sense or PedalAce.

MBUSD had arranged for 18 in-person E-Bike Sense training sessions for MBMS and MCHS
students before the November 4 deadline, along with six sessions scheduled for January 2025. MBUSD has also scheduled four E-Bike Sense training sessions for elementary 4th and 5th grade students between now and December 9. There will be another round of free classes for elementary students in January with registration information coming in December.

Students who were not able to attend the district-sponsored classes also had the opportunity to register privately with those companies.

If a student is issued a citation by MBPD or is found in violation of school rules related to bicycles or e-bikes, the certification sticker may be revoked; requirements for the re-issuance of a sticker will be at the discretion of school site administrators, according to MBUSD.

In the Manhattan Beach school district, students may travel to and from school independently on traditional bikes beginning in 3rd grade. E-bikes are only permitted for students beginning in 4th grade if their parents choose to allow it and (by December) if they have earned certification and received a sticker from the district.

Only e-bikes need a sticker for school use at this time. Regular bikes, e-scooters, and e-
skateboards may be parked on campus without a sticker.

For more information, see MBUDS's E-Bike Safety Program information page.

E-Bikes Concerns Around Town

E-bikes have been an ongoing safety concern around town (and beyond), especially regarding tween and teen riders. 

The Manhattan Beach Police Department, in cooperation with Councilmember Joe Franklin and local teens Alex Chun and Justin Newman, in 2022 created a safety campaign called "Ride Safe, Ride Ready," which they brought to all MBUSD schools and to Junior Guards groups.

Police have also been cracking down with "directed bicycle enforcement days" for compliance with e-bike rules of the road. Additionally, in response to a number of e-motorcycles appearing around town, police have been impounding those bikes, which are not street legal.

Nevertheless, behavior of riders has been an ongoing source of consternation, especially with reports of a local e-bike gang.  Police say they have worked to address those concerns by issuing citations, increasing police presence at Metlox Plaza, meeting with parents of individuals that have been named as causing problems, and networking with resource officers in other neighboring agencies to share information.