SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – It has been a collaboration of many groups and members of the community to create a safer experience for students in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) who ride their bikes to school. LTUSD continues to prioritize student safety while encouraging healthy, active transportation. The district supports students riding bikes to school and throughout the community, recognizing the benefits for student wellness, independence, and connection to the local environment. At the same time, they emphasize that safety is a shared responsibility among cyclists, families, and drivers.
At the August 28, 2025, Board of Education meeting, several community partners, including Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra, the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition, Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids (TASK), and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), voiced strong support for expanding student bike and e-bike safety education. In response, Superintendent Todd Cutler and the Board of Education prioritized this input and hosted a Community Conversation to gather additional feedback and ideas.
Following this engagement, Superintendent Cutler established the Superintendent’s Student Bike Safety Advisory Committee. Since fall 2025, the committee has met monthly to promote safer biking practices across LTUSD schools and throughout the South Lake Tahoe community.
The advisory committee has contributed to multiple initiatives, including reviewing Phase One bond project plans to identify opportunities for improving safe routes to South Tahoe Middle School (STMS) and Tahoe Valley Elementary School. The group also helped develop a pilot bike registration program at South Tahoe High School (STHS) and STMS, scheduled to launch on April 13, 2026.
Starting April 13, students at the two schools will need to complete a registration form (found here) and turn it in to their school.
In addition, committee members have collaborated with local elected officials and community organizations to strengthen regional coordination and advance bike safety efforts.
The Student Bike Safety Advisory Committee includes representatives from education, healthcare, planning, law enforcement, and local organizations:
- Teresa Schow, Public Information Officer, LTUSD
- Angela Ramirez, Senior Secretary, Facilities and Transportation, LTUSD
- Chris Proctor, Community Benefit and Business Development, Barton Health
- Kira Richardson, Senior Transportation Planner, TRPA
- Cindy Martinez, Principal, STMS
- Paul Loupe, Dean of Students, South Tahoe High School (STHS)
- Peter Fink, Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition
- Tasha Thomas, Teacher, Tahoe Valley Elementary School
- Tim Peterson, School Resource Officer, STMS and STHS
- Donaldo Palaroan, Senior Civil Engineer, County of El Dorado
- Theresa Papandrea, Executive Director, TASK
- Dr. Qureshi, Public Works Director, City of South Lake Tahoe
The committee will continue meeting to explore additional strategies to enhance bike safety across the region. Members share a common understanding that creating a safer environment for cyclists requires ongoing collaboration and shared responsibility.
As part of these efforts, LTUSD encourages all cyclists to follow the rules of the road and ride responsibly. Drivers are reminded to provide at least three feet of space when passing cyclists, reduce speed, and remain alert. Increased awareness and mutual respect help keep everyone safe.
LTUSD Bike Permit Pilot Program – What Families Need to Know
Who: South Tahoe Middle School and South Tahoe High School students bringing bikes or e-bikes to campus.
What: All student bikes must be permitted through the school.
Why: To improve student safety, promote helmet use, and support safe riding practices on campus.
Key Dates:
April 13–30 – Official launch communication period.
April 30 – Staff begins reviewing applications and issuing stickers.
May 4 – Staff begins identifying unpermitted bikes.
What Students Must Do:
- Complete the Bike Safety Google Permit Application.
- Review safety information.
- Confirm access to a helmet.
- Receive a bike permit sticker.
Important Expectations:
- Students must walk bikes while on campus.
- Bikes must be parked in designated areas.
- Permitted bikes will receive an identifying sticker. E-bike classification information.
Helmet Support:
Helmets will be provided through community partners, including the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Lake Tahoe Bike Coalition.
