Students in first and second grade may ride their bikes to school next year — they at least have their principal’s permission, though they may need to check with their parents.

Austin’s public elementary schools will no longer prohibit first and second graders from biking to school. The school board approved the change to the 2010-2011 elementary handbook 6-0 at Monday’s meeting.

Previously, students in first grade were not allowed to ride their bikes to school, and those in second grade were allowed only after they had completed bicycle safety training, which was offered at the end of May.

Sumner Elementary Principal Sheila Berger presented the handbook changes to the board Monday.

“We’re letting the parents make that decision now,” she said.

The change comes after the schools stopped offering the bike safety program, she explained.

Also new to the handbook is a cell phone policy that states student cell phones will need to be kept in backpacks or on teachers’ desks during the school day.

Students caught with their phones out of their backpacks during the school day will face penalties that can include the phone being kept in the office until a parent meets with administration about the problem.