E-bike and Bicycle Safety: Street Smarts on the Roads of the San Ramon Valley
Ilana Israel Samuels  |  Sept. 29, 2023 

SRVUSD students and families are fortunate to have some valuable partners in fostering safe e-bike and bicycle environments, including our local police departments and Street Smarts, which is a traffic safety education program serving the San Ramon Valley. 

First and foremost, bicycle safety is essential to prevent accidents and protect riders, pedestrians, and other road users. E-bikes, often capable of higher speeds than traditional bicycles, require riders to exercise additional caution and awareness. Helmets, appropriate speed limits, and adherence to traffic laws are crucial components of bicycle safety. 

Helmets stand as the primary safety gear for all bicycles, including e-bike riders. Helmets provide vital protection for the head and brain in case of a fall or collision. Street Smarts points to research from the National Institutes of Health, which states that “helmet use reduces the chances of a head injury by 48%, serious head injury by 60%, traumatic brain injury by 53%, face injury by 23%, and the total number of killed or seriously injured cyclists by 34%.” Many people don’t realize that any person under the age of 18 is required to wear a helmet by California law. 

In addition to helmets, understanding and following traffic rules and speed control are essential for safe e-bike operation. Riders must obey traffic signals, stop signs, and other road regulations just as they would when driving a car. Yielding the right of way, using appropriate hand signals, and maintaining a safe distance from vehicles are all fundamental safety practices that help prevent accidents and maintain a safe e-bike environment. 

Chief Shields of the Danville Police Department recently shared this important CHP resource with SRVUSD. He expressed that as the popularity of e-bikes continues to rise, the Danville Police often see kids riding them in an unsafe manner. “We want to raise awareness and promote the responsible use of all types of bicycles,” said Chief Shields, “so that in partnership with the district we can educate students and ultimately reduce the risk of accidents.”

Chief Carlson of the San Ramon Police Department shared a safety message with us as well: “Student safety is a top priority, we want to remind all students to ride bikes, e-bikes and scooters responsibly, obey traffic laws, and prioritize safety for themselves and others on the road.”

According to the CHP resource, “a person riding an electric bicycle is subject to the same provisions as a person riding a bicycle.” SRVUSD asks all parents and caregivers to remind their students of the importance of proper helmet use, safe riding practices, and compliance with traffic laws. 

E-bikes offer a promising and eco-friendly mode of transportation for the future. However, ensuring the safety of e-bike and bicycle riders, and others on the road, is of paramount importance and a priority for SRVUSD. All elementary and middle schools in the district will have a Street Smarts assembly this school year, and district and school officials hope all parents will review these bike safety resources with their students before they head out on their next ride.