Getting to School Safely

Bicycle, Skateboard, Electric Bicycle, and Micromobility Device

District Policy

To help ensure a safe and positive experience for all students, the Lawndale Elementary School District is implementing new safety procedures and requirements for electric bicycles (e-bikes) and micromobility devices in alignment with Board Policy 5142.09. As many safety expectations also apply to traditional bicycles and skateboards, these guidelines include shared safety practices to promote safe riding habits for all students.

Middle School Application

Beginning the 2026-27 school year, the parent/legal guardian of any student who wishes to bring a bicycle, skateboard, e-bike, or other permitted electric micromobility device to campus must complete a Bicycle, Skateboard, Electric Bicycle, and Micromobility Device Application.

Addams MS Application

Rogers MS Application

Families will have a two-week grace period beginning on the first day of school to complete and submit the required application. The completed application must be submitted to ensure students are able to continue bringing their bicycle, skateboard, e-bike, or other permitted micromobility device to campus.

Important Information

What Is Considered an E-Bike or Micromobility Device?

E-bikes are defined according to California Vehicle Code §312.5 and include three classifications:

Class 1: Pedal-assist e-bike that provides assistance only while pedaling and stops assisting at 20 mph.

Class 2: E-bike with a motor that can propel the bicycle without pedaling and is limited to 20 mph.

Class 3: Pedal-assist e-bike that provides assistance up to 28 mph. Because California Vehicle Code §21213 prohibits individuals under age 16 from operating a Class 3 electric bicycle, Class 3 e-bicycles are not permitted on any Lawndale Elementary School District campus.

Micromobility devices include small, low-speed electric transportation devices designed for personal travel, such as electric scooters and skateboards.

Please note that gas-powered bicycles, motorized vehicles, and devices that do not meet the legal definition of an electric bicycle under California Vehicle Code §312.5 are not permitted on campus.

Safety Expectations

Students who bring a bicycle, skateboard, e-bike, or other permitted micromobility device to school are expected to follow all safety expectations, including:

Ensuring that the bicycle, skateboard, e-bike, or micromobility device is approved and legal under California state law. Class 3 e-bikes, gas-powered bicycles, motorized vehicles, and any other device that does not meet California’s legal requirements are not permitted on campus.
Wearing a properly fitted helmet while riding, as required by California law. Following all traffic laws and riding responsibly, including using designated bike paths when available and riding on the correct side of the road
Operating the device safely and respectfully around pedestrians, vehicles, and other students.
Not transporting additional passengers on the device.
Not weaving through traffic or crowded areas.
Not performing unsafe stunts, including wheelies or other dangerous behaviors.
Dismounting and walking the device while on school grounds, including parking lots and sidewalks, and walking the device directly to the designated storage area.
Following all posted signs and directions from school staff.
Riding without wearing headphones or using a cellphone or other electronic devices.
Ensuring the equipment has working lights and required safety equipment, when applicable.
Arriving on time to secure the device in the designated storage area no later than 8:10 a.m.
Removing the device from the designated storage area at the end of each school day. No equipment may be left in the storage area during weekends, school holidays, or extended school closures.

The District and school are not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of bicycles, skateboards, electric bicycles (e-bikes), other micromobility devices, helmets, or personal equipment brought onto District property.

Required Training

The District is working with the City of Lawndale, in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, to identify resources and training opportunities that promote safe and responsible e-bike use among students and families.

Once available, students who ride an e-bike to school will be required to complete the training in order to continue bringing an e-bike to campus.

Our district and school will provide families with advance notice and sufficient time to complete the required training before the requirement takes effect.

Resources for Families

Bike Safety Safe Routes to School showing an electric bike, skateboard, regular bike, and skate.

Remember to be SMART when you're riding a Bike:
Snap on your helmet
Make sure to look both ways
Always follow the Rules of the Road
Remember to brake at stop lights
Take your time

Suggest Routes (SRTS) Maps

Additional Resources

Walking Safely

Pedestrian Reminders

Stay alert. Put away your phone and avoid distractions while walking.
Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street. At intersections, also check over your shoulder for turning vehicles.
Make eye contact with drivers. Never assume a driver sees you, especially at intersections and driveways.
Use crosswalks. Cross at corners or marked crosswalks whenever possible, where drivers expect to see pedestrians.
Wait for vehicles to stop. Make sure approaching cars have stopped before entering the crosswalk.
Follow crossing guard directions. Always listen to and follow instructions from crossing guards.
Walk on sidewalks. When there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and stay as far from the roadway as possible.
Be visible. Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially when walking early in the morning or when it is dark.
Stay together. Younger students should walk with a parent, guardian, or trusted adult when appropriate.
Stay on the route. Use designated walking paths and avoid shortcuts through parking lots, driveways, or other areas where vehicles may be present.

Crossings Guards

Crossing guards are provided by the City of Lawndale. We encourage parents/guardians to review which crossings to use and spend time teaching street safety rules with their children. The maps (linked left) show possible routes to school with street crossings marked for each school.

Update: On July 18, 2022, the City Council revised the crossing guard program, reducing two crossing guard locations (Manhattan Beach Blvd. and Prairie Avenue; and Freeman Avenue and Marine Avenue). If you have any questions about the City of Lawndale's crossing guard program, please contact the City of Lawndale at (310) 973-3272.

Driving Safely

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Reminders

In order to provide a safe system and avoid traffic citations, please adhere to the following guidance.

Do not double-park your car when dropping off or picking up your children. Please do not allow your children to enter or exit your vehicle while in a traffic lane. When dropping off or picking up your child, always pull to the curb in a legally marked parking space.
Do not park in areas that are marked with red curbs or in areas designated for school bus zones. These areas are not intended for personal vehicles. Red curbs are designated as “no parking” zones to ensure that traffic moves smoothly and that drivers do not have their visibility impeded by illegally parked vehicles. Bus zones are designed so that school buses have a safe spot to stop and to allow children access to the bus.
Watch for “no stopping” zones. The City of Lawndale’s Parking Enforcement officers are closely monitoring “no stopping” zones around our campuses. During the posted hours, the City of Lawndale asks that you not pause in your vehicle in these areas, even if you are waiting for an opening to turn into a designated drop-off area. If there is no direct access into a “drop-off” zone due to other vehicles ahead of your vehicle, you must continue forward on the street so as not to impede traffic behind you. Failure to do so may result in a citation being mailed to you by the City of Lawndale’s Parking Enforcement.
Plan your route to school. Consider walking with your children to school whenever possible to help ease congestion, or dropping off your children earlier so that they can eat breakfast. The school drop-off window is 8:00 to 8:30.

If there are continuing concerns about the existing traffic signage or the City of Lawndale’s Parking Enforcement policies and procedures, we recommend that you reach out to the City’s Municipal Services Department at (310) 973-3220. For the FDR/Carson neighborhood, please contact the California Highway Patrol at (424) 551-4000.

Safe Practices

Slow down in school zones. Safe speeds may be below the 25 mph limit.
Watch for students walking or biking and use extra caution.
Obey “No Right Turn on Red” signs and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
Avoid U-turns and other unsafe maneuvers.
Never double park or block red curbs or disabled access ramps.
Have students exit on the curb side, away from traffic.
Follow crossing guard instructions and set a good example.
Carpool when possible to reduce traffic near schools.

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