Colleyville City Council nailed down the city's e-bike and scooter regulations during a special meeting May 13.

What happened?

City Council went line by line through the regulations to decide what changes they wanted to make to the ordinance. The changes that were made since the first reading included:
  • Restricting riders younger than 15 from riding a Class 3 e-bike on sidewalks and roads in the city to align with state law
  • Requiring helmets for e-bike and scooter riders under 16
  • The speed be limited to 10 mph on sidewalks and trails and 20 mph on Cotton Belt Trail
  • The ordinance no longer requires riders to carry an ID
Before City Council adjusted the ordinances that were listed during the May 6 meeting, citizens came out to speak on the item with mixed feedback for the council.

Some residents thought the laws were unnecessary due to many of the rules already being required by state law, while others approved of the ordinance, citing times that kids they knew were in e-bike accidents around the city.

"You can see that the community is kind of divided on how this is supposed to be going," Mayor Bobby Lindamood said. "We've had a lot of emails supporting this and a lot against it. Honestly, we take it to heart, we want you to explore the city ... but we can't afford somebody to get hurt."


Additional details

The ordinance states the other regulations on e-bikes and scooters are:
  • Banning pocket bikes in accordance with state law
  • Requiring Class 3 e-bikes be registered with the police department and have an identifying sticker
  • Banning listening devices for riders under 16
  • Prohibiting passengers on e-bikes unless the bike is designed for multiple riders
  • Not allowing usage of e-bikes and scooters on an unimproved surface of public property unless accessing another paved surface or trail
  • Prohibiting e-bikes and scooters after dusk unless equipped with proper lighting and reflectors
  • Permitting e-bikes on non-local roads as required by state law and local roads to not exceed the posted speed limit
  • Prohibiting e-scooters on non-local roads with a speed limit over 30 mph for riders over age 16
  • Holding parents and guardians responsible for knowingly allowing their child or ward to violate restrictions
  • Requiring e-bikes and scooters to follow traffic rules and posted speed limits
  • Prohibiting e-bike riders under age 10 on public roads, sidewalks and trails
The ordinance also includes punishments that grow more severe with multiple offenses, including a:
  • $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
Starting at the second offense, the device will be confiscated by police and released to the child accompanied by a parent or guardian during business hours, Assistant City Manager Adrienne Lothery said.