Electric bikes are now prohibited at Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Charro Ranch Park, following a decision from City Council on Feb. 4.

The details

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, will not be allowed in the two parks due to concerns over safety and traffic.

The measure comes as there are more frequent sightings of the e-bikes throughout the park system, officials said in city documents.

Vehicular traffic and the presence of horses and other livestock at Dripping Springs Ranch Park can present potentially dangerous situations with e-bikes, especially those traveling at higher speeds, Director of Parks and Community Services Andrew Binz said.
Electric bikes will no longer be allowed at Dripping Springs Ranch park due to safety concerns and the presence of horses and other livestock during equestrian events and activities. (Courtesy Dripping Springs Ranch Park)
Electric bikes will no longer be allowed at Dripping Springs Ranch park due to safety concerns and the presence of horses and other livestock during equestrian events and activities. (Courtesy Dripping Springs Ranch Park)
Charro Ranch Park is a nature park, meaning the trails are considered pedestrian. The pedestrian identity of the park therefore does not allow any bicycles on the trails, he said.


However, Sports and Recreation Park and Founders Memorial Park will still allow e-bikes. Both parks, located off RR 12, contain trails considered “multipurpose.” Trail staff have seen more e-bike activity at these two parks, according to city documents.

The e-bikes, identified under three main classes, will be allowed at Sports and Recreation Park and Founders Park but can't exceed a 10 mph speed limit or use the throttle if equipped with one.

The e-bikes fall under three main classes as follows:
  • Class 1: a bicycle with pedal assist, no throttle and capable of a maximum speed of up to 20 mph
  • Class 2: a bicycle with pedal assist, a throttle and capable of a maximum speed of 20 mph
  • Class 3: a bicycle with pedal assist, a throttle and capable of a maximum speed of up to 28 mph
Binz said while the e-bikes should be prohibited at DSRP and Charro Ranch Park, the e-bikes can be beneficial to use at Founders Park and the Sports and Recreation Park, especially for people who use the trails to get around Dripping Springs.

“We do think they're beneficial to people—to continue riding bikes and to get around the city as needed,” he said. “As the [park] system grows, we're going to make all these connections around the city. People are going to use these connections to get to work and get to different parks and the areas of the city. We want to allow them to do that.”


The DSRP board of directors and the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the recommendation to give to the City Council to regulate e-bikes in parks. Council approved the ordinance in a unanimous vote.
The skatepark will be located at the north end of Founders Memorial Park in Dripping Springs. (Elle Bent/Community Impact)
Sports and Recreation Park and Founders Memorial Park will still allow e-bikes. Both parks, located off RR 12, contain trails considered “multipurpose.” (Elle Bent/Community Impact)
One more thing

The Parks and Recreation Department staff will work to add information about e-bike regulations onto signs explaining park rules, Binz said during a presentation at the council meeting.

To enforce the regulations, parks staff will also educate the public about the new rules as they see e-bikes on the park properties.

“With this change, it allows staff to have that option of saying, ‘It's not allowed here in DSRP or Charro, but you can go to Founders Park or Sports and Rec Park and use an electric bike,” he said.