Safety Reminder Regarding E-Bikes

Dear Islip Families:

As the weather has warmed and we are approaching the summer months, I would like to take a moment to remind our community about the important rules and serious safety concerns related to electric bicycles (e-bikes).

While I am sure e-bikes are a fun mode of transportation, they are also inherently dangerous. We regularly see and hear stories of people of all ages being involved in accidents with e-bikes. Per New York State law, riders must be at least 16 years old to legally operate any e-bike or e-scooter anywhere in the state. Additionally, all e-bike operators in Suffolk County must wear a helmet. E-bikes are also prohibited on sidewalks and on any road with a speed limit above 30 miles per hour.

If you plan to allow your child to use an e-bike, please take a moment to review both New York State and Suffolk County laws, as well as basic safety precautions. In the Islip School District, the rules for bicycles on school grounds also apply to e-bikes. Please check the Parent-Student Guidebook posted on the District website and your individual school's planner/student handbook for more information. If your child plans to travel to school via e-bike, please know they may not be driven on school grounds and must be walked from the entrance of the school property to the appropriate parking place.

We want to see all of our students arrive to and from school safely, and we want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable end to the school year and a fantastic summer. We thank you for your cooperation in this important safety matter.

Sincerely,
Dennis P. O'Hara, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools