Electric bicycle operating guidelines are a hot topic in communities all over North Texas, and as any driver knows it’s not difficult to find children using electric bikes on our streets and sidewalks. With the popularity of e-bikes increasing, we asked our Youth Advisory Commission to conduct some research and develop recommendations to address various safety issues.
In April, members of YAC presented their findings to University Park City Council. This same information was then presented to the Public Safety Advisory Committee, and they recommended that City Council adopt the suggestions proposed by YAC.
On August 1, 2023 City Council approved an ordinance that states:
- E-bike operators and riders under the age of 16 must wear a helmet
- No bicycles or e-bikes may be operated on sidewalks in commercial districts, and no e-bikes may be operated on any sidewalks in the City
- E-bikes must be operated at a speed reasonable to surrounding conditions
Some other tips to remember:
- Bicyclists (including electric bikes) must follow all road laws
- A person riding a bicycle should only ride on the seat of the bicycle, and there is only one rider permitted per seat
- Lights are required on all bicycles and the usage of the lights is required at night
As the summer winds down and the school year ramps up, we would appreciate your cooperation in sharing this information with your children, especially if they are frequent operators of e-bikes. The City Council approved these new regulations to help keep everyone safe. Thank you to the Youth Advisory Commission, Public Safety Advisory Committee, and UPPD for their work on this topic and for their commitment to safety!
YAC members put together a short PSA video to help us educate the community on these new regulations. Check it out below!
For additional education purposes, we have created a printable electric bike safety worksheet for you to share with your children.