FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2025
Modern Policy Institute Launches Effort to Explore E-Bike Program for Dayton Public Schools Students
Dayton, OH — In response to recent transportation challenges affecting Dayton Public Schools (DPS) students, the Modern Policy Institute, a Dayton-based nonprofit focused on innovative, community-driven solutions, has announced a new effort to explore the feasibility of launching a student e-bike program for the 2025–2026 school year.
With the State Legislature’s recent restrictions prohibiting Dayton Public Schools from purchasing public transit passes for students, and the state’s longstanding policy requiring public districts to bus charter and parochial students without adequate funding or flexibility, DPS high school students, particularly those who live more than 1.5 miles from their school, have been left without a reliable way to get to class.
“This isn’t just a transportation issue – it’s an equity issue,” said David Esrati, founder of the Modern Policy Institute. “If the state refuses to fund fair solutions, it’s up to the community to get creative.”
Comparing costs of school buses, fuel, maintenance, insurance, drivers to the cost of an ebike, plus the additional mobility and independence gained by students, this should be a no-brainer financially.
The pilot program, dubbed the Dayton Bike Gang, would provide qualifying DPS students in grades 9–12 with an e-bike, helmet, safety vest, lock, and training on safe riding. The initiative would focus on promoting fitness, independence, and school attendance, while reducing the environmental impact and financial burden of traditional school transportation.
To qualify, students would need to:
- Attend a DPS high school
- Live more than 1.5 miles from their assigned school
- Maintain 92% attendance and at least a C average
- Ride regularly throughout the school year
Students who successfully meet program goals would earn the right to keep their e-bike upon graduation.
We will organize “Bike Buses” for students to ride together as much as possible.
For inclement weather days, the non-profit will supply RTA passes. Overuse of bus passes will result in disqualification from the program.
Currently, the Modern Policy Institute is gathering data to determine how many students might be eligible and how many bikes will be needed. All interested students are encouraged to fill out a preliminary interest form at: https://modernpolicy.org/dayton-bike-gang/
“This is about empowering our students, building community, and proving that solutions don’t have to come from Columbus, they can start right here, in Dayton,” Esrati added.
The Institute is also seeking community partners, bike suppliers, and donors who want to help support what could be one of the first large-scale student e-bike programs in the country.
Contact:
David Esrati
Modern Policy Institute
[email protected]
937-228-4433,2
https://modernpolicy.org
Here’s a song for readers of Esrati.com and a Youtube version for easy sharing and lyrics.
Song: Let’s Ride by David Esrati
And a poster to share
you and I know what will happen to these bikes. This will be a boondoggle.
Now I understand your desire for DPS bikes, David. Somehow, the moniker Dayton Bike Gang sounds like a biker gang, which I bet DPS would not want for its minor students, but I’m not making the pitch.
Bikes for kids is a worthwhile idea, of course, but nothing stops kids from riding their own bikes to and from school. I expect parents/guardians will be the primary ones to schlep their kids to and from school this year.
Some high school students live across town from their schools. Kids would not have far to walk/bike/ride/commute within their neighborhood. I wonder if DPS has open enrollment throughout the district to attend any school of choice nearer to their own homes.
As to your nonprofit, are these people still on your nonprofit board?
https://modernpolicy.org/about/
I see your nonprofit is tax exempt and state charter status is renewed (just today!), but I found no 990s filed with the IRS (they are woefully backlogged at the IRS, so it could be they are not online yet). Can you post your nonprofit 990s to its website so we can see purpose, board composition, funding, expenses, activity, etc?
What’s the money situation for these bikes – who will pay for them – DPS, your nonprofit?
This is an insane idea. Mr. Rati has endorsed “free bike” schemes that became fiascos. Who, Mr. Rati, will pull maintenance on these bicycles? His next taxpayer-financed proposal will involve the deployment of public peanut machines; then he won’t be the only nut in Dayton.
Great idea, David