Oahu middle school to ban e-bikes after recent critical collision

EWA, Hawaii (KHON2) — A local middle school in Ewa will ban e-bikes at school starting on Monday, April 22.

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The principal of Ewa Makai Middle School wrote a letter to parents that they are prioritizing safety for students and staff.

Ewa Makai announced it will ban e-bikes one week after a 12-year-old boy riding an e-bike was sent to the hospital in critical condition. The critical collision happened less than one mile away from the middle school.

“I think a lot of the kids at the age they’re at don’t understand the rules of the road. When you do an e-bike, it’s like driving a car,” Ewa resident Tony Gomes said.

The school said in the letter that registered owners of e-bikes must be 18 years old. Children 16 and 17 must get permission from the owner to ride the e-bike — 15 year olds must get permission and wear a helmet.

“We’re certainly supportive of the current laws being enforced, but I do think there’s an opportunity, clearly there’s a demand for younger people riding these electric bikes,” Hawaii Bicycling League executive director Travis Counsell said. “So really, we just take more of an education standpoint rather than just outlawing it.”

KHON2 has not heard whether students will face ramifications in school if they ride an e-bike on campus on Monday, but there will be consequences for their parents.

The school said it informed Honolulu police about the new rule and said in part through the letter:

“Students found riding e-bikes in the community or parked on our campus, may be issued court citations, resulting in fines and a possible court appearance for a parent or guardian.”

Kim Sanders, Ewa Makai Middle School principal

The Ewa Neighborhood board said a citation is not enough and confiscation would send a stronger message.

“To me, a citation is a slap on the wrist because the kid will take the bike home, that’s still illegal! It’s like, ‘Okay, here, here’s a citation, buddy, now go ride your bike home,'” Ewa Neighborhood Board chair Mitchell Tynanes said. “This came up again at our neighborhood board, and the HPD said it’s better to have this in place at the schools because the HPD don’t want to see these guys on the road and chase them, that’s when accidents happen.”

HPD said it is only aware of Ewa Makai Middle School enacting a ban. The Department of Education said the increased enforcement from police is in response to the recent critical collision.