Mount Pleasant has seen growing concerns about unsafe behavior by juveniles riding e-bikes, and local middle schools are stepping up to address the issue. Moultrie Middle School, in partnership with the town and the Charleston County School District, has launched an initiative to improve safety and ensure proper regulations are followed by students who use bikes to get to school.
The New Bike Registration Plan
Moultrie Middle School is working on a new program that will require all students who bike to school to register their bikes at the beginning of the school year. With around 200 students biking to Moultrie daily, the school wants to ensure that all bikes—especially e-bikes and mopeds—are being used safely.
Assistant Principal Ryan Giles explained, “We just want to make sure they’re being safe,” as students regularly use different types of bikes to commute to school. This initiative aims to track and regulate the bikes being used, labeling them with school-issued stickers to help staff quickly identify the type of bike a student is riding.
What Are E-Bikes?
Under South Carolina state law, e-bikes are defined as having a motor under 750 watts and a maximum speed of 20 mph. The goal of this program is to separate safe e-bikes from mopeds, which are only allowed for riders aged 15 or older.
Councilmember Daniel Brownstein, who is also a parent at Moultrie Middle, expressed hope that by registering e-bikes with the school, parents would know which bikes are safe for their children to use. He emphasized the importance of educating children about safe riding habits, such as wearing helmets and obeying traffic laws.
Collaboration with Other Schools
Moultrie Middle is not the only school in Mount Pleasant working on this initiative. The school is helping other middle schools in the area with bike registration. This joint effort between the Charleston County School District (CCSD), the Town of Mount Pleasant, and local schools aims to increase student safety, especially for those riding bikes or e-bikes to and from school.
Ongoing Efforts to Educate About E-Bike Safety
In addition to the bike registration plan, town leaders are committed to educating both parents and children about e-bike safety. They’re planning to raise awareness at schools and e-bike stores to ensure everyone understands how to safely operate their bikes.
Councilmember Daniel Brownstein also noted, “We are hearing a lot of complaints, and I’ve seen some pretty unsafe behavior… We need to better regulate them and preach safety on the front end before something really bad happens.” E-bikes have become increasingly popular, and town leaders are focused on ensuring that they don’t cause unnecessary risks to public safety.
Potential Update to Mount Pleasant’s E-Bike Ordinance
To further improve safety, Mount Pleasant leaders are looking to update the town’s e-bike ordinance. A proposed change will be discussed at the next town council meeting, where council members will review a first reading of a proposal that would allow police to issue citations to minors engaging in unsafe e-bike behavior. Additionally, the ordinance may increase the e-bike speed limit from 10 mph to 15 mph, as studies suggest that higher speeds are safer for riders.
Mount Pleasant’s Councilmember Mike Tinkey mentioned the town’s long history of interconnectedness, stating, “Now we have bikes, motorbikes, electric bikes, and golf carts… It’s important in how we interact.” Tinkey noted that Mount Pleasant can learn from cities like Amsterdam, where cycling is an essential part of urban culture, to help create a safe and efficient transportation system.
The Charleston County School District’s Statement
The Charleston County School District (CCSD) released a statement supporting the new registration effort. The district said that the initiative will help identify whether a student is using a traditional bike, an e-bike, or a moped. The goal is to improve safety and ensure that students are aware of key safety and legal guidelines. The district’s key points include:
E-bikes over 750 watts (mopeds) are not allowed for student use to and from school.
E-bikes with a motor under 750 watts must be operated with a helmet and cannot be ridden on narrow sidewalks near school entrances.
Mopeds require a license, registration, insurance, and the rider must be at least 15 years old.
E-bikes must stay under 15 mph and yield to pedestrians, with a speed limit of 10 mph on sidewalks.
This collaborative effort aims to promote awareness, ensure compliance with state laws, and create safer travel options for students.
Mount Pleasant is taking proactive steps to address the growing concerns surrounding e-bike safety. By requiring bike registration, educating students and parents, and possibly updating the town’s e-bike ordinance, officials are working to ensure that all riders, especially young ones, operate their bikes in a safe and responsible manner. These efforts reflect the town’s commitment to safety, multi-modal transportation, and a community that is well-connected and well-informed.
