OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
City of Foster City
October 13, 2025
San Mateo-Foster City School District
Board of Trustees
1170 Chess Drive
Foster City, CA 94404
Dear Board President Brooks and Members of the Board of Trustees,
On behalf of the San Mateo City Council and the Foster City Council, we write to respectfully request your partnership in developing and implementing a district -wide education program focused on e - bike use, safe bicycling and pedestrian practices, and safe driving practices for parents at student drop offs and pick ups. We believe this initiative is both timely and essential to ensure the safety and well-being of our students as micromobility use rapidly expands across our communities.
Growing Safety Concerns and the Need for Education
Over the past several years, the popularity of e -bikes has surged among youth, providing convenience and environmental benefits—but also creating new safety challenges. Unfortunately, we have seen a sharp increase in unsafe riding behavior, excessive speeds, and widespread lack of helmet use among school-aged riders.
Recent data underscore the urgency of this issue:
● E-bike injuries nationwide rose from 751 in 2017 to over 23,000 in 2022, a trend that continues upward
● Approximately 40% of e -bike injuries occur among riders under 18, and head injuries account for roughly 60% of hospital visits from e-bike accidents. ● Helmet compliance is alarmingly low—less than 3% among pediatric e-bike riders. ● San Mateo County’s bicycle-involved collision rate in 2024 was 30.9 per 100,000 residents, and reports indicate that e -bike-specific crashes are increasing, though many remain under-reported.
● A 2023 San Mateo County Grand Jury report found that most jurisdictions do not separately track e-bike collisions, highlighting a lack of consistent monitoring and public education.
These statistics reflect what we see in our neighborhoods and near our schools: young riders traveling at high speeds, often without helmets or awareness of traffic laws, and navigating congested school zones where pedestrian and vehicle interactions are frequent. Without structured education and reinforcement, these behaviors will continue to place students and families at risk.
Regional Examples and Momentum
We are encouraged that neighboring jurisdictions are taking proactive steps to address this growing safety concern. The City of Burlingame recently launched a comprehensive bicycle registration and safety education program in partnership with local schools and law enforcement. That initiative focuses on helmet use, speed control, and understanding traffic rules, while helping local police identify lost or stolen bicycles and engage students in positive safety outreach.
This program has received strong community support and serves as a valuable model for coordinated, city –school collaboration. The San Mateo –Foster City School District is uniquely positioned to build upon Burlingame’s example, adapting it to fit the needs and scale of our district while leveraging ongoing partnerships with Safe Routes to School, parent –teacher associations, and local traffic safety agencies.
Proposed Educational Partnership
To address these concerns, we respectfully propose that the District, in collaboration with our two cities, develop and launch a Comprehensive Student and Community Safety Education Program.
The program could include:
● Classroom instruction on e -bike and bicycle rules of the road, helmet use, speed management, and right-of-way awareness.
● On-campus “bike rodeos” and safety demonstrations, teaching hands-on control skills and helmet fitting.
● Parent outreach through newsletters and school events to reinforce safe drop-off and riding habits.
● Clear signage and wayfinding around campuses promoting safe speeds, dismount zones, and pedestrian right-of-way.
● Peer safety ambassadors to promote a culture of responsibility among students.
● Data collection and reporting to track incidents, helmet usage, and behavior change over time.
We also encourage close collaboration with the County’s Safe Routes to School program, local police departments, and regional traffic safety partners to ensure a consistent and sustainable approach.
Next Steps
We respectfully request that the Board:
1. Formally endorse the development of this safety education initiative.
City of Foster City • 610 Foster City Boulevard, Foster City, CA 94404 P: (650) 286-3200 • E: [email protected]
2. Direct staff to coordinate with both City Councils and Safe Routes to School representatives to design a pilot program for the 2025–2026 academic year.
3. Explore funding opportunities for educational materials, signage, and helmet distribution.
Conclusion
Our collective goal is simple but urgent: to keep our students safe. With coordinated education, clear expectations, and community engagement, we can prevent injuries, promote responsible mobility, and ensure that the benefits of e-bikes and cycling are realized without compromising safety.
We appreciate your consideration and look forward to partnering with you to protect and educate our students.
Sincerely,
The City Councils of San Mateo and Foster City
________________________ ________________________ City of San Mateo City Council City of Foster City City Council
CC: District Superintendent, District Safety Committee, San Mateo Police Department, Foster City Police Department, San Mateo County Office of Education
Sources: JAMA Network, “Injuries With Electric vs Conventional Scooters and Bicycles,” Published July 23, 2024, John Hopkins International Injury Research, “Evidence Synthesis on E-Bike and E-Scooter Injuries, Safety Interventions, and Policies,” Published October 2024, Surg Open Sci, “Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are an increasingly common pediatric public health problem,” Published June 21, 2023, SMC All Together Better, “Indicators: Bicycle Involved Collision Rate,” Measurement Period 2024.