Hawai‘i Department of Education — effective immediately — implemented new regulations governing the use of electric bicycles, more commonly known as e-bikes, on all department campuses throughout the islands.

“The safety of our students is always our top priority,” said State Superintendent of Schools Keith Hayashi in the department’s announcement. “With the growing popularity of electric bicycles and other motorized vehicles, we have seen both the convenience they provide and the risks they pose.”

Hayashi added that while e-bikes are legal for keiki who are at least 15 years old, the department is taking steps to ensure the safety of its students.

Electric motorcycles

Electric motorcycles — sometimes called e-motorcycles, electric dirt bikes or recreational vehicles — are not allowed on any Hawai‘i Department of Education campuses or properties.

These vehicles can reach very high speeds — well more than 40 miles per hour — and are not designed for student use.

Unlike e-bikes, e-motorcycles do not have pedals and often have foot pegs instead. This restriction also applies to e-motorcycles that have fake e-bike pedals, also known as “ghost pedals” or “non-propulsion pedal kits,” attached.

E-motorcycles cannot be registered as e-bikes.

Elementary and middle/intermediate schools

E-bikes are not allowed on elementary or middle/intermediate school campuses because of the statutory age restriction placed on e-bike riders.

Children younger than 15 years old are not legally permitted to have or operate e-bikes.

High schools

For students at least 15 years old or older, e-bikes are permitted on any Hawai‘i Department of Education campus or property, as long as they are registered and licensed by the county in which the student who owns or operates it resides, as indicated by a county-issued decal.

The decal must be affixed to the e-bike on the upright post attached to the sprocket facing in the forward direction.

Counties will not register, license or issue a decal for recreational vehicles — such as e-motorcycles — because they do not meet the definition of a bicycle.

Any e-bike without a properly issued decal will be confiscated, returned to the student’s parent and prohibited from entry on all department campuses and properties until properly registered and licensed.

Schools already notified families about the new regulations. You can read the letter that went out to parents from Hayashi by clicking here.