Start the School Year Safely: Know Before You Roll
Posted on: August 10, 2026 in E-Micromobility
As students across Central Florida head back to school, our roads, sidewalks, crosswalks and bicycle lanes are getting busier. Whether traveling by school bus, car, bicycle, e-bike, e-scooter or on foot, everyone has a role in helping students arrive to school and back home safely.
MetroPlan Orlando is encouraging families to make transportation safety part of their back-to-school routine. A few minutes spent reviewing the rules of the road can help young people make safer decisions throughout the school year.
New Safety Activity Sheets for Young Riders
E-bikes and e-scooters have become popular ways for young people to travel to school, visit friends and move around their neighborhoods. Because they can travel faster and weigh more than traditional bicycles, operating them safely is even more critical.
MetroPlan Orlando has developed two new printable activity sheets to help students understand how to ride safely:
These age-appropriate sheets combine safety information with interactive puzzles and activities. Students learn how to properly fit a helmet, remain visible, avoid distractions, use hand signals and share roads and pathways respectfully.
The sheets also reinforce an important message: more power means more responsibility. The motor on an e-bike or e-scooter can increase speed, stopping distance and the severity of a crash.
Parents, teachers, youth organizations and community groups are invited to download, print and share the activity sheets.
Check School Rules Before You Ride
Families should also check directly with their school before allowing their student(s) to ride an e-bike or e-scooter to campus. Some schools and districts have changed their policies, restricted where these devices may be parked or operated, or prohibited them on school property altogether. Do not assume last year’s rules still apply. Ask the school about current requirements, approved parking areas and any restrictions affecting student riders.
Know the Rules of the Road
Before students begin riding, families should discuss where they may ride, how they should behave around others and whether local rules apply. Young riders should remember:
- Wear a properly fitted helmet on every ride—regardless of age. A helmet should be part of every ride, whether a student is using a bicycle, e-bike or e-scooter. Florida law requires bicycle riders and passengers under age 16 to wear a helmet, but riders of all ages benefit from making helmet use a routine safety habit.
- Obey traffic signs, signals and lane markings.
- Travel in the same direction as traffic when riding in the roadway.
- Use hand signals before turning, slowing or changing lanes.
- Yield to pedestrians and slow your speed in crowded areas. Signal audibly to let pedestrians and others know you are approaching.
- Use front and rear lights and wear bright or reflective clothing when visibility is limited.
- Put phones away, remove headphones and keep eyes on the road.
- Never assume a driver sees you.
- Check local regulations before riding. Rules for e-bikes and e-scooters may vary by community.
Students who walk should use sidewalks and marked crosswalks when available. Before crossing, stop and look left, right and left again. Continue watching for vehicles while crossing, especially vehicles that may be turning.
Drivers must also do their part. Slow down in school zones, remove distractions, stop for school buses as required, watch for crossing guards and give people walking, bicycling or riding scooters enough space. Keep in mind that travelers on e-bikes or e-scooters may be traveling faster than those on traditional bikes.
Before the First Ride: A Family Safety Checklist
Before your student heads out on a bicycle, e-bike or e-scooter, take a few minutes to get ready together:
- Check the helmet. Make sure it is the right size, fits snugly and is worn correctly every ride.
- Check the equipment. Make sure tires, brakes, lights and reflectors are working properly.
- Know the school rules. Confirm whether e-bikes and e-scooters are allowed on campus and where they may be ridden or parked.
- Plan the route. Choose a route together and identify sidewalks, bicycle facilities, crossings and locations that may require extra caution.
- Review the rules of the road. Talk about traffic signs and signals, yielding to pedestrians, using hand signals and riding in the same direction as traffic when traveling in the roadway.
- Be visible. Use lights when visibility is limited and wear bright or reflective clothing.
- Put distractions away. Phones and headphones can take attention away from traffic and other people using the road or pathway.
- Practice before riding independently. Make sure your student can confidently start, stop, turn, signal and control the bicycle, e-bike or e-scooter before traveling on their own.
More Safety Resources for Families and Schools
The Florida Department of Transportation offers additional materials to help parents, educators and students build safe transportation habits.
FDOT’s Safe Routes to School resources include pedestrian and bicycle safety lessons, short videos, quizzes and tools for different grade levels. Families and educators can also find information about safer walking and bicycling.
Alert Today Florida’s youth safety page provides child-friendly guidance about crossing streets, walking near traffic, staying visible and avoiding common dangers such as darting into the roadway.
Additional FDOT and partner resources include:
Back-to-school safety is not limited to the first week of classes. Safe habits must be practiced every day, on every trip.
Take time to review the rules with the young people in your life. Check their equipment. Talk through their route. Remind them to stay alert and make predictable decisions.
A safe school year starts before anyone leaves home. Safety starts with each of us.
VISION ZERO AND E-MICROMOBILITY SAFETY CONTACTS
Director of Regional Partnerships: Virginia L. Whittington | Virginia.Whittington@MetroPlanOrlando.gov
Program Manager: Lara Bouck, PE AICP | Lara.Bouck@MetroPlanOrlando.gov
¿Hablas Español? Adriana Rodriguez, PE | Adriana.Rodriguez@MetroPlanOrlando.gov