Dear St. James Public Schools Families,
As we prepare for the 2026–27 school year, St. James Public Schools is establishing safety expectations for electric bicycles, electric scooters, and similar motorized devices. These expectations are intended to protect students, staff, families, and visitors, particularly during busy arrival and dismissal times.
Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, e-bikes, e-scooters, motorized bicycles, and similar electric transportation devices may not be ridden or operated on school district property.
Students who legally use an e-bike or e-scooter to travel to school must dismount before entering district property and walk the device directly to a designated bicycle rack or parking area. These devices may not be ridden in district parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, playgrounds, courtyards, tracks, athletic fields, or other pedestrian areas.
Families should also be aware of the following Minnesota requirements:
Students under age 12 may not operate a motorized foot scooter.
Students under age 15 may not operate an electric-assisted bicycle.
Anyone under age 18 operating a motorized foot scooter must wear properly fitted and fastened protective headgear.
Motorized foot scooters may not carry passengers.
Motorized foot scooters generally may not be operated on sidewalks.
Devices that exceed the legal definition of an e-bike or motorized foot scooter may be considered motorized bicycles, motorcycles, or other motor vehicles and may require a license, permit, registration, insurance, or additional safety equipment.
Although Minnesota law does not impose a general helmet requirement for every e-bike rider, St. James Public Schools strongly expects all students riding an e-bike, e-scooter, or similar device to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet.
Students bringing an authorized device to school must:
Dismount before entering school property.
Walk the device while on district property.
Secure it at a designated bicycle rack or parking location.
Keep it out of school buildings, playgrounds, tracks, and athletic fields.
Refrain from charging the device or storing its removable battery inside a district building.
Follow all applicable state laws, local ordinances, and traffic regulations.
Students who ride a device on school property will be directed to dismount. Continued or unsafe violations may result in the device being secured until it can be picked up by a parent or guardian and may lead to consequences consistent with the student handbook. This restriction does not apply to mobility devices used as part of an approved disability-related accommodation or devices specifically authorized for district operations.
Please take time before the school year begins to review these expectations with your child and discuss safe transportation options. Our goal is to ensure that every student arrives and departs safely each day.
Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and continued partnership in keeping our students safe. Questions may be directed to your child’s school office or the District Office.
We look forward to a safe and successful 2026–27 school year.
Respectfully,
Liam Dawson, Superintendent
St. James Public Schools