Council asked for the item to have an ordinance drafted, then for it to be put on the regular City Council agenda for first reading and public comment.
The discussion
Colleyville officials looked at adding several rules to ensure that residents are riding electric bikes and scooters safely in town. Proposed regulations include:
- Prohibiting listening devices like earbuds for riders under 16
- Prohibiting passengers on e-bikes unless there is a parent with their child
- Prohibiting Class 3 e-bikes on sidewalks
- Requiring Class 3 e-bikes users to register their bike with the police department and have a sticker identifying the bike
- Requiring that e-bike riders have some form of identification, including a virtual or school ID
- $100 fine and a required safety class for the first offense
- $200 fine and a visit with the municipal judge for the second offense
- $500 fine and a second visit with the municipal judge for the third offense
Since this was a workshop session, no action was taken on this item.
The details
State law requires that e-bikes are allowed anywhere a regular bike is allowed, Colleyville Assistant City Manager Adrienne Lothery said.
The council discussed having more restrictions on Class 3 e-bikes because they can go up to 28 mph, according to Playtri Colleyville.
Class 1 and 2 e-bikes have a motor that stops when the bikes reach 20 mph.
Pocket bikes have no pedals and an electric motor or internal combustion engine, according to city documents. These bikes function more like mini motorcycles and can be more regulated by cities, Lothery said.
E-scooters have an electric motor, can be propelled by human power alone and includes one-wheels and electronic skateboards.
The backstory
For the past couple of months, the traffic advisory committee, which consists of staff from public safety, public works and city management, looked at state law and ordinances regarding e-bikes and scooters from other cities, along with police data, before drafting a preliminary ordinance prior to the April 1 work session, Lothery said.
The proposed regulations within Colleyville city limits included:
- Regulations for electric bikes and scooters to not exceed 5 mph on sidewalks and trails, 15 mph on Cotton Belt Trail and the posted speed limit on local roads
- Prohibiting mini-motorbike or pocket bike usage on public property in the city unless allowed by state law
- Prohibiting children ages 10 and younger to operate e-bikes and scooters on public property
- Prohibiting usage of e-bikes and scooters on an unimproved surface of public property unless accessing another paved surface or trail
- Permitting operation of any electronic bicycles on public streets not designated as “local” per the 2015 Master Thoroughfare Plan as required by state law
- Restricting operation of electric scooters on public streets not designated as “local” on the 2015 Master Thoroughfare Plan to bikers over 16 years old being permitted on roads with a max speed of 30 mph
- Operators of e-bikes and scooters must obey all traffic laws
- Prohibiting e-bikes and scooters after dusk unless equipped with front white lights visible from 500 feet away and a red rear reflector visible from 300 feet away or a lamp visible from 500 feet away
- Requiring children to wear helmets when riding an e-bike or e-scooter on public property
- Holding parents and guardians responsible for knowingly allowing their child or ward to violate restrictions
Colleyville staff will draft an ordinance with the proposed rules and bring it to a regular City Council meeting for a first reading and public hearing. Depending on how quickly the ordinance is drafted, it could appear on one of the city council's May agendas, Lothery said.
