Riders under 16 cannot legally operate e-bikes or e-scooters off private property in Oregon, Tigard Mayor Yi-Kang Hu wrote in his September Mayor's Corner column.

Hu reminded families of the rule in the Friday, Sept. 11 column, which also urged drivers to slow down near schools and crosswalks during the school year.

For riders who are old enough, the mayor listed specific safety steps: wear a properly fitted helmet, use lights and reflective gear in low visibility, follow traffic laws, ride at a safe speed and never carry passengers on equipment built for one person.

The Tigard Police Department has posted a detailed breakdown of the rules. E-scooters and Class 1 e-bikes require riders to be 16 or older, except on private property with permission. Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes also require riders to be at least 16. E-bikes are not allowed on sidewalks.

Parents can be cited for a child's violation, the department said. Helmets are required for all e-scooter riders regardless of age and for e-bike riders under 16.

The Tigard-Tualatin School District (TTSD) prohibits e-bikes and e-scooters on all elementary and middle school campuses, according to the police department's post.

One rule is set to change. The minimum age for e-scooters and Class 1 e-bikes drops from 16 to 14 on Jan. 1, 2027, under House Bill 4007, according to the police department. The age floor for Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes stays at 16.

The department has created a dedicated e-bike and e-scooter safety page at tigard-or.gov/TPD-ebike for families who want the full rundown.

Hu's column also pointed families to the city's Safe Routes to School program, which offers route-planning tools and transportation resources. He encouraged students and families to watch for details from their schools about International Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The Tigard Public Library, at 13500 SW Hall Blvd., offers homework help, test prep tools and study spaces.

Every TTSD student is eligible for a library card. Hu called a library card "one of the most useful school supplies a student can have."

Schools are expected to share more details about Walk and Roll to School Day in the coming weeks.