In the wake of multiple recent fatalities in the area due to e-bike and e-scooter crashes, Fulshear officials are taking action to try to prevent future crashes.
What’s going on
At an Oct. 20 meeting, Fulshear City Council decided to form what council member Randy Connor describes as an e-safety committee.
“If the kids will follow safety protocols, obey the rules, use the crosswalks properly, use the safety equipment, we can certainly minimize and I say we as a community, we can minimize their exposure to risk,” Connor said.
Connor said the committee will potentially be made up of members from City Council, the police department, parents, residents and a younger person who rides a scooter in order to hear all sides of the issue.
What they’re saying
During public comment, several kids spoke in support of a “No Helmet, No Ride” ordinance, which would require minors to wear helmets while riding e-bikes and e-scooters.
However, council member Richard Russell said he thinks taking too long to come up with a solution could mean another accident occurs in the intervening time.
“I’m suggesting an all-out ban,” Russell said. “I’ll fall on that sword.”
Connor pointed to the recent accidents as a reason why people would support an e-vehicle ban, but also why they are getting more involved.
“People get more conscious and more interested in what we can do to protect the safety of these kids and I think short of a ban, that’s what this e-safety committee is going to look at,” Connor said.
More details
Connor said discussions with State Representative Gary Gates have already taken place to possibly present information to the state legislature at its next session.
City officials are also looking at other ways to get families to participate, including town halls and more safety programs offered by the police department.
“We believe that education is where all this starts,” Connor said. “Of course, education at home being the number one priority, but we want to enhance that.”
On the horizon
City Attorney Charles Zech and City Manager Zach Goodlander are expected to present an ordinance requiring helmets for minors riding e-bikes and e-scooters to council at a Nov. 17 meeting, Connor said.
The committee will meet Nov. 18 to explore additional requirements for the ordinance such as specifics on daylight hours, sidewalks and private versus public property to be presented in mid-January if the initial ordinance passes.
