Local law enforcement and officials with Cy-Fair ISD are urging parents to avoid purchasing and allowing students to use high-powered motorized vehicles marketed as e-bikes due to a number of safety concerns.
The big picture
As electric mobility devices have gained popularity among kids and teens, the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s office is asking school districts to prohibit the use of unregistered motorized vehicles such as electric minibikes, pocket bikes, electric dirt bikes and motorcycles on district property.
“As these vehicles become increasingly common, our deputies continue to encounter juveniles operating them on public roadways and have responded to crashes involving children,” Constable Mark Herman said. “Our goal is to work collaboratively with our local school districts to enhance student safety through education, awareness, and proactive policies.”
While electric bikes and scooters which require human propulsion to power the motor are legal, it is illegal to operate a fully motorized bike without a vehicle registration and Class M driver’s license, per state law.
What’s being done?
Cy-Fair ISD Superintendent Doug Killian said the district is now “strongly discouraging” the use of motorized vehicles which do not require pedalling and can exceed 28 miles per hour.
“We understand that this was becoming such a safety and motor concern that law enforcement identified electric bikes requiring licenses at some of our schools and called parents to come and get them,” Killian said in a June statement.
Cy-Fair ISD is working with the Precinct 4 and Precinct 5 Constable offices to create an educational campaign regarding the use of e-bikes and the law and restrictions around them.
“Our goal is always to prevent accidents before they happen. In the coming months, CFISD will be partnering with our local constable precincts to offer traffic and motorized vehicle safety education for our students and families,” Killian said.
