At their Oct. 28 meeting, Prosper Town Council members approved a new ordinance in response to rising reports of young riders speeding, violating traffic laws and creating safety hazards.
The ordinance takes effect Dec. 1, according to town documents.
Some context
Council members discussed the potential ordinance at their Oct. 14 meeting, reviewing videos of dangerous e-bicycle and e-motorcycle usage around town.
Highlighted incidents included young juveniles riding on main roads as well as one rider evading police officers at a shopping center.
Police Chief Doug Kowalski said previously the department has responded to 27 calls for service as of Oct. 6, with 13 of the calls in Windsong Ranch.
Mayor David Bristol noted that a recent accident involving an e-bicycle further shows the need to review the town’s ordinances.
Prosper officials previously adopted an ordinance in April classifying e-bikes as motor vehicles, which are prohibited from operating off the pavement or main-traveled portion of public roadways. Under state law, e-motorcycles are classified as motor vehicles, but e-bikes are not.
In July, officials also prohibited e-bikes in specific park zones in July, including playgrounds, athletic fields and certain trail areas. Violations of both ordinances are classified as Class C misdemeanors, according to town documents.
What changed
Kowalski said the new effort will combine enforcement of the new ordinance with a public information campaign to help parents understand the difference between e-bikes and e-motorcycles.
“We don’t like being the fun police,” Kowalski said.
In partnership with Prosper ISD, the police department plans to educate the public on the ordinance and the laws riders must follow for each kind of vehicle. The department is also coordinating its efforts with Celina’s police department, according to town documents.
E-motorcycles:
- Classified as motor vehicles under state law
- Require a Class M driver’s license—minimum age 16—registration and insurance
- Three classifications but treated the same as standard bicycles by state law
- Do not require a license, registration or insurance
- Must comply with bicycle traffic laws and local ordinances
The ordinance includes new permitting, safety and operating rules:
Permitting:
- A permit is required to operate an e-bike on streets, parking areas, trails and other town property
- Permit must be obtained in person at the Prosper Police Department, with no fee required
- E-bike must be inspected and labeled with a visible permit sticker
- Permit becomes invalid if bike is modified or if ownership changes
- Lost permits require a police report
- No headphones while riding
- Lights required at night
- Class 3 e-bikes prohibited for riders under 15 years old
- Riders under 16 years old must wear a helmet
- Riding banned in playgrounds, courts, fields, pavilions, open space and pedestrian-only walkways
- E-bikes limited to 10 mph on specific park trails
- Pocket bikes and mini-motorbikes follow only state law, not the new ordinance
Kowalski said citations may also be issued to parents who allow unlicensed juveniles to ride e-motorcycles and e-bicycles as they are classified as motor vehicles in the town.
One more thing
Officials will spend the month leading up to Dec. 1 educating the public about the ordinance.
