What’s happening
The meeting came after the township sent a letter to a number of school districts and municipalities in Montgomery County proposing a new education initiative regarding the use of e-bikes and e-scooters on roads and pathways across the township.
The community partners at the meeting included:
- Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler
- Landon Reed, Harris County Precinct 3 director of community outreach
- Mayors of the cities of Oak Ridge North and Shenandoah
- Conroe ISD officials
- Tomball ISD officials
How we got here
A study on the use and safety of e-bikes and scooters in The Woodlands was completed by Halff Associates and presented to the township board of directors June 19, as previously reported by Community Impact.
The first phase of an education plan proposed July 17 included conducting focus groups, creating digital media and safety infographics and drafting permanent signage.
At the Aug. 6 meeting, community members expressed safety concerns relating to the continued use of the vehicles, which can reach higher speeds than regular bicycles.
What they’re saying
“I think that just creating a video and playing that for kids in their classroom at the beginning of the day is something we can do—having during PTO meetings, having meetings with parents,” CISD Chief of Police Matthew Blakelock said at the Aug. 6 meeting.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler said he would support the efforts discussed at the meeting to educate the public.
"I don't think there's any authority the county has to either establish or enforce anything when it comes to licensing or anything of that nature," Wheeler said. " ... Anything that our office can do to help push whatever education [plan] y'all come up with, at least at Precinct 3, we're more than willing."
Capt. Ron Ryan with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said the county cannot enforce regulations from the township, which is a special-purpose district.
“Unfortunately, at this time, the sheriff's office cannot enforce the township rules and regulations on the pathways. All we can do is wait until they go into the roadway or into the pathways of the crosswalks and enforce state or county laws,” Ryan said.
“I think that it would be wonderful to look at putting together a safety campaign [for] our children, but also other individuals who use the pathways and roads,” board director Ann Snyder said.
What’s next
The township communications team will begin working on educational materials, including a series of videos with the cooperation of community partners, to align with the start of school, said Monique Sharp, president and CEO of The Woodlands Township.
The school year begins Aug. 13 in Conroe ISD and Aug. 12 in Tomball ISD.
