As students return to school, Leander ISD is clarifying expectations for e-bikes, electric scooters and similar personal transportation devices on district property.
Updates to the Student Handbook outline which devices students may bring to school, which are prohibited and the safety expectations students must follow. The guidance is intended to support a safe environment for students who walk, bike, or ride to school while addressing the growing use of higher-powered electric vehicles.
What Students Can Ride to School
Students may ride traditional bicycles, skateboards and manual scooters to school, as well as certain legal, low-power electric devices.
Permitted electric devices include:
- E-bikes with fully operable pedals and motors under 750 watts that meet Texas Class 1, 2 or 3 classifications, with maximum assisted speeds ranging from 20 to 28 mph.
- Low-power electric scooters designed for low-speed transportation on sidewalks or bike lanes, where permitted by law.
Permitted devices must meet applicable state and local requirements and should be parked in designated campus bike racks or parking areas immediately upon arrival.
What Is Not Allowed on Campus
High-powered electric motorcycles, electric dirt bikes and similar motorized vehicles may not be ridden, operated or parked on district property.
Examples include Surron- and Talaria-style electric motorcycles, electric dirt bikes, pocket bikes, mopeds, gas-powered mini-motorcycles and similar high-powered devices.
In general, a two-wheeled electric device is prohibited on campus if it does not have fully functional, human-powered pedals, has a motor exceeding 750 watts or is capable of speeds exceeding 28 mph.
These restrictions apply whenever students are on district property, including during the school day and at extracurricular activities, concerts, dances and other school events.
Keeping Students Safe
The updated expectations are designed to distinguish traditional and legal low-power transportation from increasingly common electric motorcycles and other high-powered devices that can travel at significantly higher speeds.
School arrival and dismissal bring together students walking, biking and riding alongside buses and other vehicles, often in crowded areas with frequent stops and crossings. Limiting higher-powered devices on district property and setting clear expectations for permitted devices helps reduce risks for both riders and those around them.
Families are encouraged to review the type, power and maximum speed of their student’s device before allowing them to ride it to school and to talk with students about safe riding practices.
Safety Expectations on Campus
Students who ride a permitted e-bike, electric scooter or similar device to school are expected to follow district safety requirements and applicable laws.
Students should:
- Wear a properly fitted helmet as required by applicable law.
- Follow traffic laws, including stop signs, speed limits and requirements to yield to pedestrians.
- Walk the device while on campus except in designated areas. E-bikes should only be operated in manual, non-motorized mode on school grounds.
- Never ride electric or motorized devices on district fields, playgrounds or tracks.
- Park only in designated areas without blocking sidewalks, entrances or driveways.
- Follow the device manufacturer’s passenger limits and never carry additional riders on a device designed for one person.
- Ride defensively, remain alert and avoid distractions such as headphones.
- Use appropriate lights and reflectors when riding in low-light conditions.
Students are also strongly encouraged to travel at speeds of 15 mph or less when riding to or from school to reduce the risk of serious injury.
Students who do not follow district safety expectations may lose the privilege of bringing or parking an e-bike, scooter or similar device on district property. Bringing a prohibited device onto campus or operating a permitted device recklessly may also result in disciplinary action under the Leander ISD Student Code of Conduct.
