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Individuals riding electric motorcycles in Allen could receive a ticket, Allen Police Chief Steve Dye said.
Dye gave a presentation of e-bikes, e-motorcycles and safety guidelines at a July 14 Allen City Council work session meeting.
The overview
As city officials begin conversations about e-bikes and e-motorcycles, it's important to understand the differences between the two, Dye said.
E-bikes have pedals, do not exceed speeds of 28 miles per hour and have engines that do not exceed 750 watts, according to the presentation. E-motorcycles do not have pedals, have more powerful motors and can exceed speeds of 60 miles per hour.
Individuals riding e-bikes must be at least 15 years old, Dye said. E-bikes are allowed anywhere a regular bike is allowed, such as:
Individuals riding e-motorcycles must have a drivers license, a license plate and insurance, according to the presentation. In addition, the vehicle must have safety lighting, turn signals and be registered with the state of Texas. Allen police officers are mainly concerned with e-motorcycle usage, due to safety concerns.
“They're riding very fast on the sidewalks, which is a danger to cyclists and pedestrians,” he said.
Officers have also seen individuals on e-motorcycles exhibiting “reckless behavior” and evading police officers, Dye said.
“Year to date, we've had 150 documented interactions, either from citizens calling us complaining about the behavior or from us proactively stopping these young riders—they’re almost always young males—so it’s affecting everybody’s quality of life.” Dye said.
The approach
The police department is focusing on educating the community, specifically parents, about laws and concerns regarding e-motorcycles, the department’s website states.
Officers have posted laminated flyers at businesses where e-motorcycle riders congregate, Dye said. Other education efforts include presentations to homeowners associations, community engagement at events, social media campaigns and more.
“Right now we’re mainly in the education and warning phase, so we’ve written very few citations to date,” Dye said.
Riders could receive tickets, or in some cases have their vehicle impounded, in cases of reckless driving or if riders are attempting to evade officers, Dye said.
For more information on local e-bike and e-motorcycle regulations, visit the Allen Police Department’s website.
