HONOLULU (KHON2) — A new push aims to ban non-conforming e-bikes from public school campuses.
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Some hope the Department of Education will take action with almost 100 deaths on Hawaii roadways so far in 2025.
Department of Transportation statistics show 98 people have been killed across the state on Hawaii roadways in 2025 — 65 of them on Oahu, and two of those deaths were minors on e-bikes. House Transportation Committee chair Darius Kila said it is time for the HDOE to implement a statewide ban.
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“So this only makes sense if it can come from the top-level superintendent to give the guidance to every county, every State school, that we’re all on the same page. Because if we do it in Leeward Oahu and there’s no adoption throughout the state, it doesn’t make sense,” Rep. Kila said.
E-bikes in Hawaii are not legally allowed to go faster than 28 miles per hour, and that is while they are being pedaled. Honolulu police said spotting non-conforming devices is key.
“If your child’s e-bike doesn’t have pedals, it’s not considered a e-bike, they’re not supposed to be riding those on the road,” Maj. Paul Okamoto said. “I think it would be helpful for the Department of Education to have, I guess a standard through all the schools, and to have a standard rule for all schools.”
Not everyone agrees that a ban is the right move. The Hawaii Bicycling League pointed out that non-conforming bikes are already not allowed on Hawaii roads, but clarity on classification could use some upgrades.
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“But legislation hasn’t kept pace with them. Our legislation, even around bicycles, around low-speed electric bicycles, it’s more than 25 years old. So we clearly need to update the definitions,” said HBL advocacy director Eduardo Hernandez.
Rep. Kila sent a letter to the HDOE superintendent on Tuesday, Sept. 23, to urge a ban on non-conforming e-bikes on all public school campuses.
“And really, our schools are not the place to be bringing these thousand-dollar devices to, to one, expose the student to theft, the school, the liability, but also student staff, all of them. They’re exposing themselves to a safety risk with these devices on campus,” he said.
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The HDOE said in a statement:
We appreciate the lawmakers’ outreach and share their concern following recent tragedies and the growing use of e-bikes among youth.
The Department is reviewing the Governor’s Executive Order and the recommendations from legislators. While we do not have a statewide e-bike policy at the moment, some schools and complex areas have set campus-specific rules — such as in the Campbell-Kapolei Complex Area, where elementary and middle/intermediate schools earlier this year notified families that e-bikes are not allowed on campus. Enforcement is more challenging at the high school level, as students are legally allowed to operate e-bikes starting at age 15.
Safe travel to and from school is a shared responsibility. We continue to encourage families to speak with their children about safe and legal e-bike use, and we are exploring ways to strengthen protections for all students.
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