Newport Beach Schools Weigh E-Bike Ban for Students

Proposal would restrict e-bike use for all but high school students due to safety concerns.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 12:22am

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The Newport-Mesa Unified School District is considering a proposal to ban students from riding e-bikes to school, with the exception of high school students. The potential ban is driven by safety concerns, as recent data shows e-bike riders were at fault in 44% of bicycle accidents in neighboring Costa Mesa.

Why it matters

The proposed e-bike ban aims to address growing safety issues around students using electric bicycles to commute to school. With e-bike accidents on the rise, the district is looking to prioritize student safety while still supporting healthy transportation options for families.

The details

Under the proposal, all students from kindergarten through 6th grade would be banned from riding e-bikes to school. Seventh graders and older would also be banned, but parents could sign paperwork to allow their children to use e-bikes. The district cited data showing that in Costa Mesa, e-bike riders were at fault in 44% of the 126 bicycle accidents in 2025. Newport Beach has also implemented a new e-bike ordinance that imposes fines or possible impounding of e-bikes if rules aren't followed.

  • In December 2025, Trustee Andrea McElroy discussed the e-bike safety concerns at a special Board of Education meeting.
  • The Newport-Mesa Unified School District is considering the e-bike ban proposal ahead of a meeting on Tuesday.

The players

Newport-Mesa Unified School District

The public school district serving Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, California.

Andrea McElroy

A trustee on the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Education who supports the proposed e-bike ban.

Zach Varela

A motor officer who stated the safest route to school for students on e-bikes is when a parent rides alongside them.

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What they’re saying

“I know there's people coming from Costa Mesa, going to Newport schools, vice versa. They need it, but they have to take full responsibility for the child and it doesn't fall on the school.”

— Andrea McElroy, Trustee

“I think it comes back not only to the parents' obligation to teach their children how to ride their bike safely but also the law enforcement component. To make sure that we are getting out to schools and educating the kids.”

— Zach Varela, Motor Officer

What’s next

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Education is set to discuss the proposed e-bike ban for students at its meeting on Tuesday.

The takeaway

The proposed e-bike ban for students in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District highlights the growing concerns around the safety of electric bicycles, especially for young riders. The district is seeking to balance supporting healthy transportation options with ensuring student safety on the roads.