E-bikes & scooters/Unsafe behavior

We have started to notice increased unsafe behavior and increased e-bike and scooter activity at our North gate.  We have students arriving early and darting in and out of traffic prior to gates and campus opening at 8:45.  We are asking parents to please speak with their children about staying on the sidewalk outside the gate (please no riding up and down the sidewalk) until the bell. Or arriving closer to 8:45 when the gate opens. Please also make sure your child is wearing a helmet, as it is the law.

In regards to E-bikes and E-scooters.  Please see this message directly from our Redmond Police Dept.  There should be NO e-bikes or e-scooters showing up at any school, except the High Schools. This is because anyone under 16 isn’t allowed to use them legally.

General Rules of the Road

-If you are riding a bicycle scooter, or skateboard (ebikes included), even in a bike lane you are obligated to travel on the same side of the street as traffic and follow the flow of traffic.  
-Stopping at traffic signals is required, you must follow the directions of the lights.
-Stopping at stop signs is required unless there is no traffic at the stop sign, then you may treat the stop sign as a yield sign.
-A bicyclist failing to stop at a stop sign or light causing a crash is at fault for the crash.
-A bicyclist is not a pedestrian, they are a vehicle and when stopped at an intersection must act like a vehicle.  They do not automatically poses the right of way.  Riding on a sidewalk or in a cross walk does not make you a pedestrian.  If you are on your bike you are a vehicle and subject to the rules of the road.  
-Children under the age of 16 must wear a helmet when riding a scooter, skateboard, or bicycle.
-If operating in low light or dark conditions you must have a while light on the front visible from 500 feet away and a red reflector or light on the rear visible from 600 feet behind.
(Not a comprehensive list of all rules and regulations)

E-Bike Rules

“Electric assist bicycles” - also called “e-bikes” - are bicycles that are operated by pedaling, but get an extra boost from an electric motor. Electric assist bicycles are considered a bicycle in the Oregon Vehicle Code, but there are a few different rules that apply to electric assist and e-bikes. The minimum age to operate an e-bike is 16. People riding e-bikes may ride in bicycle lanes and on paths, but not on sidewalks. If there is not a bicycle lane, you can ride an e-bike or e-scooter in the lane with traffic. Cities, counties, and land owners often have their own rules about where e-bikes are allowed (especially in parks and on trails). Check the rules for your area before purchasing or using an e-bike. The maximum speed for operating an ebike is 15 mph, you become a motorcycle or moped and fall under those requirements when you exceed 15 mph.  

Electric scooters, or “e-scooters”, are subject to the same rules as e-bikes, except people of all ages must wear a helmet while riding an e-scooter and travel at a max speed of 15 miles per hour. 
(Not a comprehensive list of all rules and regulations)

Information on pocket bikes, mini-motorbikes, motor-assisted scooters, mopeds, Segway's and similar motorized vehicles that do not qualify as e-bikes is available in the Oregon Moped, Motorized Scooter, Pocket Bike Guide.

We thank you for your help in keeping our children safe!!