EDUCATION: Manhattan Beach Unified School District launches new e-bike safety program
by Hibah Samad
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District last week launched a new e-bike safety initiative aimed at ensuring students’ safe commutes on the road. Student e-bikes parked at Manhattan Beach Middle School and Mira Costa High School must have a new addition to their bikes — a District-certified sticker, signifying their completion of an approved MBUSD e-bike safety course.
The program requires students to complete a certification course through MBUSD partners E-Bike Sense or PedalAce. In the lead-up to the policy launch, the District provided eighteen free training sessions, with six more sessions scheduled for January 2025. Additionally, MBUSD has offered discounted private course options for students who were unable to attend the free sessions.
“Student safety is a top priority,” said Superintendent John Bowes. “This e-bike education program provides our students with the essential knowledge and skills to help them navigate traffic responsibly and safely.”
Students who bring their e-bikes to school without a sticker will have their e-bikes placed on hold by the school administration until a parent/guardian can pick them up.
The e-bike certification course offered by E-Bike Sense includes a mix of classroom and hands-on training. During the session, students participate in interactive discussions on e-bike safety, focusing on the rules of the road and essential defensive riding skills. In the outdoor portion, students are taught to properly fit helmets, conduct a quick ABC (air, brakes, and chain) check, and complete other key safety checks. Once certified, students receive a sticker with an ID number for their e-bike.
Many MBUSD students now ride to school on e-bikes. The district launched a new program last week requiring students to take an e-bike training class in order to be allowed to bring their bikes to campus.
“Our e-bike certification courses have been well-attended and we are excited about the launch of this important safety program,” said Kerry Riccio Aguero, MBUSD Director of Student Services.
Efforts to improve e-bike safety and reduce accidents have been a collaborative effort in Manhattan Beach. In 2022, the City, the Manhattan Beach Police Department, and students from Mira Costa High School launched the “Ride Safe, Ride Ready” education campaign. As part of the effort, MBPD officers and Mira Costa students made regular visits to MBUSD campuses to educate students about bike safety.
The District is also encouraging parents and guardians to be part of the conversation and help support their students as they are educated on e-bike safety. In the program FAQs online, they shared a number of ways they can do this. Any students who have completed an e-bike safety course through E-Bike Sense or PedalAce within the last 12 months (at any time after September 2023) are eligible to receive a sticker.
Completing the course and receiving a sticker is one part of the program; MBUSD officials will also work to reinforce the lessons to help students to continue to follow e-bike rules.
The District also plans to expand the program to 4th and 5th graders by December 9. MBUSD aims to continue offering free safety courses annually every August and January to provide families with easy access to e-bike safety education.
For more information on MBUSD’s E-Bike Program, visit mbusd.org/e-bikesafety. ER