Eugene 4J school district to ban e-motos across all campuses

Eugene's 4J school district is preparing a policy that would prohibit e-motos on every one of its campuses. The article describes e-motos as heavy electric bikes that use a twist throttle instead of pedaling and can exceed 15 mph. It says they are not legal for street use in Oregon and that people under 16 may not operate them. Two schools, Cal Young and Spencer Butte middle schools, already have the restriction in place.

District spokesperson Kelly McIver told KLCC that the districtwide rule is meant to make Oregon law clearer for local families. He said the district wants families to keep these devices at home, noting they might be used legally on private property, but that vehicles not allowed on public roads should not be brought onto school grounds either.

The article says the change follows safety worries about students riding without helmets, riding with friends, or going too fast across campuses. McIver also said schools lack enough staff to watch every area at all times, and that students could use e-motos elsewhere with parental supervision. Families who have had students ride e-motos to school are directed to the Oregon Department of Transportation for information on vehicle rules and state law. The district plans to notify parents about the new rules in the near future.