06/03/2026
Will Dare Board of Ed put the brakes on e-bikes?
By Kenzie Brown
The clock hits 3:30 p.m. and students flood out of the building to the overflowing bike rack. Within minutes, students are zipping through the crowded school parking lot on e-bikes, dodging cars and walkers as the hum of the motor grows louder and louder.
As the use of e-bikes continues to increase, so do the safety concerns. The combination of high speeds, risky behaviors like popping wheelies, and not wearing a helmet have led to an increase in accidents involving e-bikes. Earlier this spring, Dare County Parks and Recreation announced that e-bikes were no longer allowed to be used on their grounds. Now, Dare County Schools is looking into the matter as well.
The DCS Board of Education is currently working on a solution for the use of e-bikes at school. Policy Code 4332 would allow students to possess e-bikes and other electric devices on school property but not operate them on school grounds. This includes sidewalks, parking lots, at any school-related activity, on school trips, and any time students are under school supervision. According to the policy draft, “use” of an e-bike includes pedaling or moving it in a way other than walking.
In other words, students could ride e-bikes to school, but then must walk them on school property and park in designated bike rack areas.
“I think the biggest concern is where they are operating,” Board member Matt Brauer told Nighthawk News. “For example, you wouldn’t want an e-bike going 20 miles an hour on the sidewalks on the campuses between First Flight Elementary, Middle and High School because I think it’s a matter of time before somebody would get hurt.”
This policy is still in draft form as Board members review it, and could change – either due to ideas the Board members have or based on feedback the Board receives. The policy will be read at the next Board meeting on Monday, June 8, at the Dare County Commissioners meeting room in Manteo.
Last week, DCS emailed all parents about the proposal and invited families, staff and community members to share feedback during the public comment period.
Read more at NighthawkNews.com!
