Santee taking aim at e-bike safety, focusing on students

Santee is ramping up public awareness about e-bike regulations that just went into effect this month.

City leaders passed an ordinance banning children under the age of 12 from riding e-bikes in December. Santee became the sixth city in the county to do so, following Oceanside, Chula Vista, Coronado, Poway and San Marcos.

Schools have seen an increase in e-bike riders in recent years, pushing the East County city to bolster safety efforts and set stricter age restrictions.

“We’re doing as much education as we can around bike safety,” said Cori Harris, director of communications for the Santee School District.

Bike safety goes beyond following age restrictions, she said. Riders should wear helmets and avoid biking on sidewalks where the city has posted signs, Harris said.

Part of the ordinance required the city to conduct a public education campaign centered around the new regulations before citations are issued.

The school district released email communications to parents ahead of the enforcement period. The district requires students to register their e-bikes, Harris said, making it easier to ensure the parents of daily e-bike riders are notified.

Informational pamphlets outlining the new rules and bike safety tips are handed to student bikers by their principals on campus, Harris said.

Middle and high sc...