(Fort Lauderdale, FL) – Kids who ride e-bikes or scooters to school in Broward County will soon have to comply with a new policy. The school board voted Tuesday to tighten restrictions on the electric vehicles especially on school campuses.
In just four years, there has been a 60 percent spike in e-bike and e-scooter accidents with more than 1000 kids crashing last year in Broward alone. Many of the crashes are serious, requiring hospitalization.
School Board Member Lori Alhadeff proposed the measure and suggested that riders be required to walk the electric vehicle while on the sidewalk.
Board member Dr. Jeff Holness suggested a helmet policy and speed requirement. Orange and Nassau counties have already passed strict e-bike policies with age limits and mandatory safety courses. Orange County bans electric vehicles for students under the age of 16, except high schoolers with a driver’s license or permit. Nassau County allows kids in grades 6-12 to ride only with registration and a required safety course certification.
Board member, Adam Cervera says some of the electric vehicles are actually motorcycles and a policy is long over due.