Diablo Vista Middle School Students Seen Riding E-Bikes Unsafely

DANVILLE, CA —Danville police said they will collaborate with the California Highway Patrol to take “proactive enforcement measures” to address reported unsafe behavior on e-bikes.

A parent at Diablo Vista Middle School contacted Danville Police Chief Allan Shields and Diablo Vista Principal Jeff Osborn to notify them that he had seen two middle school boys riding e-bikes and bicycles in car lanes on Camino Tassajara, traveling in the opposite direction of car traffic.

According to the parent, the boys do “informal racing” several times a week on Camino Tassajara between Jasmine Way and Conejo Drive. The boys reportedly dare each other to travel into busy car lanes, and one boy often rides with the front wheel raised in the air.

DPD Chief Allan Shields responded by saying that his department “understand[s] the gravity of the situation you’ve described and share your concerns about the safety of these students. Proactive enforcement measures are essential in addressing these issues effectively. We would like to assure you that the Danville Police Department will take proactive steps to enhance safety on the public roads and bike lanes frequented by these students.”

Shields said the department will collaborate with the California Highway Patrol, which has jurisdiction over some unincorporated areas of the town.

Shields told Patch in a separate email that these measures will include traffic officers and beat cars looking for the specific violations cited in the email, and social media posts reminding the community about local scooter laws.

DVMS Principal Jeff Osborn asked the parent to continue to send him information, and said that he would call the boys’ parents or guardians if they could be identified.

On Sept. 29, SRVUSD addressed e-bike safety in its monthly newsletter sent to parents. The article encouraged students to wear helmets, and to follow all traffic rules, including obeying traffic signals, stop signs, yielding the right of way, and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles. The letter quoted Shields and SRPD Chief Denton Carlson on the importance of obeying traffic laws.

All elementary and middle school students in the district will attend an assembly this year from Street Smarts, a traffic safety education program serving the San Ramon Valley.