The growing popularity of electric bikes, or e-bikes, among Nantucket students has resulted in “dangerous behavior” and damage to athletic fields, Superintendent Elizabeth Hallett wrote in an e-mail to families last night.
Hallett announced e-bikes would be prohibited on the school campus unless the student can legally drive one under Massachusetts law, formally registers it with with the school, and walks the e-bike while on school grounds.
“We have witnessed numerous students riding these bikes recklessly on our campus, including on sidewalks, in between moving vehicles and on athletic fields,” Hallett wrote. “We are very concerned about the dangerous behavior we have seen around the use of electric bikes near other people and vehicles, and the damage that has been inflicted on our fields. This has become a serious issue around the safety of our students and staff.”
The new policy goes into effect on Monday, Sept. 27.
Read Hallett’s full message on e-bikes:
Dear NPS families,
It has become clear that electric bikes, or e-bikes, have become very popular with some of our students. While these bikes seem safe, we have witnessed numerous students riding these bikes recklessly on our campus, including on sidewalks, in between moving vehicles and on athletic fields. We are very concerned about the dangerous behavior we have seen around the use of electric bikes near other people and vehicles, and the damage that has been inflicted on our fields. This has become a serious issue around the safety of our students and staff; therefore, as of Monday, September 27, 2021, electric bikes are NOT to be ridden in any location on our campus.
Massachusetts’ General Law Chapter 90 Section 1B clearly states the following:
“A motorized bicycle shall not be operated in any way, as defined in Section One within the Commonwealth by any person under sixteen years of age, nor at a speed in excess of twenty-five miles per hour. A motorized bicycle shall not be operated in any way by any person not possessing a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit.”
As electric bikes are considered “motorized bicycles” as stated above, only students aged 16 or older who have a valid license or learner’s permit and who have registered their electric bike with the Nantucket High School will be permitted to bring their e-bike onto school campus. Once registered, students will receive a sticker which must be adhered to their bike frame and remain visible. Registered e-bikes must be parked in a designated area on the NHS school campus. Any unregistered bike without a sticker will be removed from the premises.
For rider safety and the safety of others, electric bikes must be walked when on school campus and are not permitted on any of the NPS athletic fields, playground areas, or on the NIS and NES campuses. As a general rule, all bikes and scooters must be walked on sidewalks and roadways throughout the campus. Please take the time to speak to your child about these new expectations and bike safety overall.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Hallet
