May 21, 2025
Dear Channahon 17 Families,
We hope this letter finds you well and ready for summer break!
We are writing to bring your attention to a growing trend regarding the use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) by students in Channahon schools. While we recognize that e-bikes offer a fun and efficient mode of transportation, we have grown increasingly concerned about the safety implications for the riders themselves, and for their fellow students who walk or bike to school.
As you may know, e-bikes are larger and heavier than traditional bikes and they are capable of reaching much higher speeds. We are concerned that many of our students may not yet have the experience or judgment necessary to operate them safely on public roadways and pathways, particularly in busy school zones. School administration and staff have expressed concerns as several have observed near-misses on route 6 and other locations. We have also noticed instances of unsafe riding behavior and a lack of protective equipment such as helmets or other protective gear.
We are also concerned for our non-riders. We have witnessed students riding at excessive speeds on sidewalks and in crowded areas around the school during arrival and dismissal times. This is concerning as we have many walkers, bike riders, and students exiting or boarding school buses who are at an increased risk of being struck.
We are currently reviewing our policies and working with local authorities to take steps to keep our students safe at school. In the meantime, we are concerned about student safety during the summer as students will have additional opportunities to ride e-bikes. We strongly encourage parents of students who own an e-bike to review responsible e-bike use to make sure they are always safe when riding.
As always, we appreciate your partnership and will keep you informed of any updates to school or district policies related to e-bike use. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your child’s principal.
Sincerely,
Channahon 17 Administration