The details
Under proposed regulations presented by Flower Mound Police Chief David Coulon at an Oct. 17 town council work session, micromobility vehicles would be defined as small, light-weight vehicles incapable of going faster than 28 miles per hour. This could include skateboards, electric scooters, Segways and other vehicles, but would not include bikes.
One provision town officials are considering is prohibiting the use of these vehicles on roadways with speed limits greater than 35 mph.
“If it’s a 40 mph street, you can’t operate on it unless you’re just crossing it,” Coulon told town council members during the Oct. 17 work session.
Where speeds are greater than 35 mph, the vehicles could be allowed to operate on the sidewalks, Coulon said.
Town officials are also considering a helmet law for children as part of the ordinance. According to previous reporting by Community Impact, Coulon told council members in September that three scooters driven by children had hit cars in the last 12 months. If approved, children wouldn’t be allowed to operate these vehicles on public property without a helmet.
What they’re saying
Town Council member Ann Martin said she was pressing for an ordinance with additional regulations for micromobility vehicles because she’s heard complaints from residents. However, she had reservations about only requiring helmets on the streets. If the town has an ordinance regulating these vehicles, it should be simple for people to understand, she said.
“It’s way too confusing for people,” Martin said. “It will not be effective, so the public needs to weigh in.”
Also up for consideration is prohibiting riding in parking lots and banning the use of cell phones while operating micromobility vehicles. The ordinance could include fines of up to $100. Parents could be fined for letting their children break the ordinance under Coulon’s proposal.
What next
Town officials are planning on sending out a survey for residents to take to get a better idea of how they feel about regulating scooters in Flower Mound.
