Draft Model K-12 Micromobility Policy

POLICY TITLE: Micromobility Safety Policy POLICY NUMBER: (To be assigned) SECTION: Wellness / Safety / Student Conduct ADOPTION DATE: ____________________ REVISION DATE: ____________________

• Purpose The purpose of this policy is to prevent injuries and ensure safe travel to and from school by establishing clear expectations for the use of e scooters, e bikes, bicycles, and other ‑ ‑ micromobility devices on school property and adjacent sidewalks. This policy supports the Pennsylvania State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) priority on injury prevention, community safety, and safe community use of school grounds.
• Rationale and Safety Concern The District recognizes that micromobility related injuries have increased significantly statewide ‑ and nationally. Emergency departments report rising injuries involving e scooters, e bikes, and ‑ ‑ bicycles among children and adolescents, including collisions with pedestrians, falls, and roadway incidents. Younger children using playgrounds and sidewalks are particularly vulnerable to being struck by fast moving devices. Universities such as Villanova have adopted strict ‑ micromobility policies in response to similar injury trends, emphasizing the need for clear rules, walk only zones, and consistent enforcement to prevent harm. Consistent with these ‑ evidence based practices, and aligned with SHIP’s injury prevention priorities, the District ‑ ‑ adopts this policy to reduce preventable injuries on school grounds and ensure safe access for all students, families, and community members.
• Authority The Board recognizes its responsibility to provide a safe environment for students, staff, families, and community members. Consistent with SHIP, Safe Schools guidance, and district wellness policy requirements, the Board adopts this Micromobility Safety Policy to reduce preventable injuries and promote safe access to school facilities.
• Definitions 4.1 Micromobility Device: E scooters, e bikes, bicycles, hoverboards, skateboards, and similar ‑ ‑ devices. 4.2 Under Age Operation: Pennsylvania law prohibits e bike operation by individuals under age ‑ ‑ 16.

4.3 School Property: All district owned or leased grounds, including sidewalks, playgrounds, ‑ parking lots, athletic areas, and access paths.

• Student Expectations Students shall: 5.1 Walk all micromobility devices on school sidewalks, walkways, and through dismissal areas at all times, including before school, after school, evenings, weekends, and during community use of playgrounds. 5.2 Follow Pennsylvania age restrictions of 16 yrs of age for e bike operation. ‑ 5.3 Wear helmets when operating bicycles or e mobility devices. ‑ 5.4 Use designated parking or storage areas. 5.5 Follow staff directions during arrival, dismissal, and after school activities. ‑ Students, staff or visitors shall not: 5.6 ride e-scooters, as are not permitted on roads or sidewalks in PA: here is current law https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/travelinpa/active- transportation/documents/pa-micromobility-fact-sheet.pdfr 5.8 Ride Micromobility on school sidewalks, through crosswalks, dismissal zones, congested areas or through crowds. 5.9 Operate e bikes if under age 16. ‑ 5.10 Charge e mobility devices inside school buildings. ‑
• Staff Responsibilities Staff shall: 6.1 Enforce the walk only requirement consistently. ‑ 6.2 Report unsafe operation to building administration. 6.3 Provide consistent messaging to students and families. 6.4 Participate in annual training on micromobility safety expectations. 6.5 Document repeated violations using existing school safety reporting systems. ‑
• Parent/Guardian Responsibilities Parents/guardians shall: 7.1 Review this policy with their child annually. 7.2 Ensure their child complies with Pennsylvania age restrictions for e bike use. ‑ 7.3 Provide appropriate safety equipment (e.g., helmets). 7.4 Reinforce safe travel behaviors. 7.5 Encourage their child — and other parents — to be aware of this policy and follow all safety expectations on school property. 7.6 Acknowledge receipt of the policy through the annual handbook signature process.
• Student Voice and Education Districts shall: 8.1 Conduct annual student surveys on travel safety. 8.2 Hold at least one student focus group per year. 8.3 Include a student representative on the Wellness or Safe Schools Committee. 8.4 Encourage student councils, safety clubs, and wellness clubs to help share safety messages. 8.5 Integrate micromobility safety into health, PE, or advisory lessons. Students shall be taught: 8.6 Why walking zones exist. 8.7 How injuries occur on sidewalks and in dismissal zones. 8.8 Pennsylvania laws on e bike and e scooter operation. ‑ ‑ 8.9 Safe route planning and visibility practices. 8.10 The importance of helmet use and protective equipment.
• Communication Requirements Districts shall:

9.1 Include this policy in the annual student/parent handbook. 9.2 Post the policy on district and school websites. 9.3 Communicate expectations at the start of each school year. 9.4 Include the policy in staff training materials. 9.5 Review expectations in student assemblies or advisory lessons. 9.6 Install signage at school entrances, sidewalks, and playground access points. Communication shall be clear, consistent, and repeated throughout the year.

• Helmet Promotion and Access Districts shall: 10.1 Encourage helmet use through student led campaigns and demonstrations. ‑ 10.2 Provide families with information about free or low cost helmet programs. ‑ 10.3 Include helmet access information in annual safety communications. ‑
• Annual Safety Review (Safe2Say & Wellness Training) Each school shall: 11.1 Review micromobility safety expectations with all students annually, alongside Safe2Say Something. 11.2 Include training on micromobility expectations and safety in the district’s annual wellness training. 11.3 Reinforce expectations during high risk times of year. ‑ 11.4 Engage student clubs in sharing safety messages.
• Enforcement 12.1 First Violation: Verbal reminder; documentation; safety information, if student is under 16 for e-bike or e-scooter, device will be taken and require parent pick up for safety of other students

12.2 Second Violation: Parent notification; safety education module. meeting with administrator ‑ and parent meeting. 12.3 Severe Behavior: Immediate administrative action; Safe Schools referral; Childline (if under

• and law enforcement if required. 12.4 Under Age E Bike Operation or e-scooter: Staff shall report the incident, notify parents, ‑ ‑ prohibit the device on campus, and refer repeated violations to Childline if under 16 or law enforcement as appropriate and mandated.
• Review and Continuous Improvement Districts shall review this policy annually with students, staff, families, crossing guards, local law enforcement, the Safe Schools Committee, and the Wellness Committee. Revisions shall reflect student feedback, injury data, and community needs.