FULSHEAR, TEXAS — The Fulshear City Council is scheduled to discuss e-scooter regulations and a potential prohibition during its meeting on Tuesday. This agenda item follows the adoption of an ordinance in October 2025 that established rules for crossing intersections and imposed fines of up to $500 for violations.

The existing ordinance requires riders to use sidewalks and stop at crosswalks. Parents of minors who violate the law face a $500 ticket under these regulations. Fulshear officers have issued only one ticket for e-scooter violations since the ordinance was adopted.

The city launched a public outreach campaign that included social media posts, utility bill inserts, school newsletters, brochures, youth outreach, and police presentations. In October 2025, the council deliberately chose an education-focused enforcement strategy over aggressive penalties for e-scooter violations.

Fulshear City Council considered requiring riders under 18 to wear helmets and imposing a 10 mph speed limit on sidewalks during a March 2026 meeting, though no formal action was taken. Between the start of the 2025 school year and October 2025, Fulshear recorded 10 bike-pedestrian accidents, doubling the previous year's total of five. The 2025 e-scooter ordinance was modeled after a similar regulation in Pearland, Texas, which aimed to reduce sidewalk-related accidents by restricting motorized devices to sidewalks and requiring stops at crosswalks. Texas law classifies electric bicycles into three classes based on speed and power, limiting municipal authority to regulate them where traditional bicycles are permitted.

Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman sent letters to the Aldine, Cy-Fair, Humble, Klein, Spring, and Tomball independent school districts requesting policies prohibiting unregistered electric motorcycles on school property. The request prohibits unregistered electric motorcycles, including electric dirt bikes, minibikes, and pocket bikes, from being operated or parked on school property. The request does not apply to electric bicycles that meet the legal definitions of Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 e-bikes under Texas law.

The request excludes mobility devices, motor-assisted scooters, and other vehicles that are legally permitted. Constables stated that unregistered electric motorcycles can reach speeds of more than 30 miles per hour, may require a license, and are not allowed on sidewalks. Constables stated that e-bicycles have operable pedals and travel at less than 28 miles per hour.

Fulshear City Councilmember Randy Connor discussed the challenges of enforcement and the potential for a prohibition. "If that's what it takes to slow down what's going on around these schools, that might be an option," he said. He noted the difficulty officers face when attempting to stop riders.

"We've had officers try to pull over a young person that was not obeying the law and say, 'Hey, I just want to talk to you.' Well, they take off," he explained. He cautioned against pushing riders into traffic. "If you force them off the sidewalks, now you got them on the street, which now they're competing with vehicles for space," he said. "We've got to weigh which options, with safety being the number one concern," he said.

A Katy ISD representative outlined the district's position on enforcement and jurisdiction. "Outside of school property, the operation of e-bikes and motor vehicles on public streets is governed by Texas law and any applicable local ordinances." The representative added that "Enforcement of those laws and ordinances is the responsibility of local law enforcement agencies." The district emphasized its collaborative approach. "Katy ISD values its strong partnerships with the more than 15 law enforcement agencies that serve the District's 181-square-mile footprint across Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller counties." The statement continued, "The District supports these agencies in their enforcement of applicable laws and remains committed to working collaboratively with our public safety partners to promote the safety and well-being of our students, staff and community."