The Draft NMUSD Bicycle and E-Bike Policy is Here - And It’s Sweeping. Here’s What You Can Do.
On Friday, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District published its draft Policy 5142.2, “Safe Routes to School Program”. While the policy does touch on safe routes, it goes much farther.
The new policy would significantly restrict how NMUSD students can bike to school. The policy, up for adoption at tonight's March 10 Board meeting and buried deep within the agenda under Item 20 (Discussion/Action Calendar), Subsection (c) (First Reading of Modification to Board Policy), Policy 5141.2 (“Safe Routes to School Program”), establishes the following rules by grade level:
K-2 students would be prohibited from riding any bicycle to school at all.
Grades 3-8 students may ride conventional bicycles, but to do so students must complete a district-provided bike safety training program and have a parent-signed consent form and liability waiver on file. E-bikes, scooters (presumably electric scooters, but the drafting may pick up all scooters) and other motorized vehicles (presumably motorized skateboards, hoverboards, etc.) are strictly prohibited for this entire grade range.
High school students (9-12) may ride Class 1 and, presumably Class 2 e-bikes only — Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited. The same consent, waiver, and safety training requirements apply.
Finally, despite the fact that this is clearly a brand new and sweeping set of policies, the NMUSD board is being asked to waive a second reading and adopt it tonight in a single meeting.
Obviously we object to this approach, both in terms of process and substance.
From a process perspective, there is no agenda report discussing the policy or what motivated it. So there is no discussion regarding what the NMUSD Board has or hasn’t considered, from bicycle and e-bike rider statistics, current local policies or the approaches taken by other school boards. Additionally, describing a policy this broad and disruptive as a “safe routes to school” policy seems, at best, disingenuous. Few parents will be on notice that the policy to be discussed tonight will directly affect how their kids get to school.
And with respect to the policy itself, it clearly conflicts with the principles we set forth in our open letter to the NMUSD Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Wesley Smith, which urged them to step back from broad, reactive policy-making. Draft Policy 5142.2, by contrast, seem highly reactive and motivated by protecting the NMUSD from blame or liability, rather than supporting kids and families that rely on bicycles to get to school and get around town.
If this approach troubles you, here’s what you can do.
As we noted in our last e-mail on this topic, the best way to engage in this process is to get directly involved, either by writing your Board of Education representatives, showing up at the meeting tonight, or sharing this information with others. Here’s a recap on how to do that:
1. Write to Your NMUSD Board Representatives
The Board needs to hear directly from parents, students, and community members who understand what's at stake. You can contact your Board representative — or all seven Trustees — and share your thoughts on the new bicycle and e-bike policy. We know that there is a diversity of perspectives out there on this issue. We think that is good. Rather than to push any particular perspective, our goal is urge the Board of Education to not act until the voices of parents and community leaders are heard and addressed.
Board member contact information is available at nmusd.us. And if you want to get started on an e-mail to all of the trustees, we have a sample email to get you started. Note that the sample email text focuses only on critiquing the NMUSD Board’s lack of notice and outreach. We of course encourage you to also add any questions, concerns or objections you have regarding the policy itself.
2. Show Up at the Next NMUSD Board Meeting
We know that the Board pays attention when residents show up in person, and there is no call-in option for Board of Education meetings.
The agenda for tonight’s meeting can be found here, and again, the relevant item is buried under Item 20(c), Policy 5142.2 (“Safe Routes to School Program”). However, public comment for this item may occur either under Item 16, Community Input on Agendized Items, or under Item 20(c) (Discussion/Action Calendar) at the speaker’s discretion.
To make a public comment, a speaker card/form (located on the table at the rear entrance of the board room) must be completed with the speaker's name, the specific agenda item number to be commented upon, and the card given to the Executive Assistant to the Board. Get your comment cards in as early as possible to ensure you have a chance to speak! Comments are limited to 3 minutes. Note that the NMUSD Board may decide to shorten the time allowed each speaker, so be ready to be brief if necessary.
3. Share This E-mail with Your Network
Again, many parents and community members don't know this conversation is happening. If you know families who rely on bicycles or e-bikes, neighbors who care about student independence, or anyone who should understand what's being discussed, please share this e-mail. The broader the community conversation, the better the outcome.
