Starting this week, Osceola County students will soon have access to new e-bike safety training as district leaders respond to a rise in use of the devices by young riders.
The Osceola School District, in partnership with the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Christopher A. Blackmon and MetroPlan Orlando, has launched a pilot program aimed at educating students on e-bike safety and traffic rules. The program is currently available at Celebration K-8 and Celebration High School.
“We selected those two schools because of the high number of e-bikes and some traffic crashes that have occurred out there,” said Lester Yeates, Director of Safety, Security, and Emergency Management for the district. “But we are hoping, as it is a pilot, that we may be able to move forward and expand the training throughout the district.”
The voluntary sessions will be held the next three Wednesdays – April 1, 8 and 15, after school. The program addresses traffic laws, proper safety gear, and safe riding practices as the number of students using e-bikes, which can reach speeds of 30 mph, and scooters continues to grow.
“They have got to know the rules, because there is not a lot of legislation out there currently that has rules that regulate where they can and can't ride,” Yeates said. “What we're hoping to do is bring awareness to the parents and students that there is a need for this. You need to protect your kids.”
Blackmon emphasized that the initiative is not just about enforcement, but prevention.
“We are not here just to enforce the law, but also to educate students about the law and how to be safe on e-bikes,” said Blackmon. “Education today prevents crashes tomorrow.”
The pilot program was offered by MetroPlan Orlando to Osceola, Orange, and Sumter counties, with Osceola the first to bring the training directly to students.
Every school in the district has seen an increase in e-bike and scooter use, Yeates said, and officials hope the program can eventually expand countywide.
“As the director of safety and security for the school district, we're trying to ensure that our department extends more than just a school day,” he said. “We're taking care of our students – it doesn't matter if it's before school or after school. They're still our students and our kids, and we want to make sure they have everything to keep them safe.”
Parents can sign up their children for the training through a link provided by their schools.
