In recent years, electric bikes have become a popular transportation mode throughout America, including California. However, a recent email was sent out through Student Square that included a file, showing that electric scooters can’t be operated by those younger than 15 due to a lack of owning a driver’s license and Class 3 electric bikes cannot be operated by those without licenses. In other words, all middle-school kids are not allowed to use electric scooters or bicycles. Fallon has also instated a ban on e-scooters on campus, confiscating any seen after 11/6/2024.
The California Motorcycle Handbook specifies the requirements for both electric bikes and scooters. Electric bikes may not require a license, but the handbook says that Class 3 E-Bikes can only be operated by those older than 16, they have to wear a safety helmet, and they are not allowed to have any passengers on the bike. Electric scooters can be operated by a user with any class of license as long as they meet all the requirements to get a license that lets them use two-wheeled rides.
When asking the students at Fallon, many believed that the law and the ban on e-scooters on campus were not fair to the students. 8th grade student, Sabarish Sharma, says, “I don’t think it makes sense. Electric scooters aren’t that fast. I think that there should be fewer regulations on e-scooters and e-bikes because students who live far away from school would need some transportation if the bus isn’t an option for them.” He also mentions, “Electric scooters are cheaper and more affordable than e-bikes, and students of lower class can’t really afford e-bikes, so I think that the ban doesn’t make any sense.”
On the other hand, some students seem to agree that the law is meant to keep us safe and is best for e-scooters to be banned on campus. 8th grade student, Anchita Hari states, “I think that it’s sometimes necessary. It should be banned for people who don’t wear helmets because it’s a serious safety precaution. I’ve seen people crash them before, and a lot of times people don’t drive properly, leading them to get injured.”
Due to the ban and law, many have now resorted to using other modes of transportation like getting dropped off or using non-electric bikes, considerably safer transportation options to the state, and decreased the number of bikes within the bike racks, limiting the crowd after school.
