Bismarck Public Schools (BPS) is implementing new safety measures requiring students who ride electric bikes and scooters to dismount and walk them when approaching school buildings. This initiative aims to enhance safety in areas prone to heavy vehicle and bus traffic during student drop-off in the mornings and dismissal in the afternoons.
Under the new plan, each school building within the Bismarck Public Schools district will be tasked with mapping out designated walk zones. These zones are specifically intended to cover areas surrounding school campuses where traffic congestion is most significant. While students will still be permitted to use e-bikes and scooters for their commute to and from school, the new rule mandates they get off their devices and walk them once they enter these specified safety zones near school grounds.
Horizon Middle School, for example, plans to release its specific walk-zone map to families through its October newsletter, providing clear guidance on where students must dismount their devices. School staff will directly address instances of unsafe riding with students to ensure compliance and promote safe practices. If necessary, school resource officers are authorized to enforce municipal rules that apply to the operation of these electric devices.
Horizon Middle School Principal Shawn Oban stated that this academic year marks the first time e-bikes have become a "significant concern" on his campus. Oban highlighted the particular risks associated with middle school-aged riders, observing that "middle schoolers don’t always make the best decision" when operating these devices. He described students "darting in and out of traffic around the school," cautioning that such behavior is "just a recipe for something bad to happen."
Principal Oban acknowledged that many students operate their electric bikes and scooters responsibly. However, he emphasized that the potential for accidents in congested school zones prompted the district's action. Oban noted, "There are responsible kids that do use them correctly." He further explained the critical need for these measures, adding, "But in our case around this school, it would only take one. And I have seen unsafe behavior of kids riding these bikes in and out of traffic."
These new district measures follow recent regulations adopted by the City of Bismarck concerning e-bikes and electric scooters. The city ordinance established specific operating requirements, including a minimum age of 12 for riding electric scooters and Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes. A higher minimum operating age of 16 was set for Class 3 e-bikes. Additionally, the city ordinance imposed a speed cap, limiting the operation of these devices to 15 miles per hour on public sidewalks and designated bike paths within Bismarck.
The push for increased safety around school grounds gains further context from a September incident at Century High School. During this event, a 15-year-old student riding an e-bike collided with a school bus. Police officials reported that the student involved in the collision sustained minor injuries.