E-Bike Regulations Adopted

At the May 13, 2025 City Council meeting, an ordinance was adopted establishing e-bike and e-scooter regulations. To read Ordinance O-25-2329 click HERE. The ordinance serves to enhance the safety of e-bike riders, pedestrians, and drivers of motor vehicles. Highlights of the new ordinance are listed below.

Speed limits:

• 10 mph on trails and sidewalks
• 20 mph on the Cotton Belt Trail
• The maximum posted speed on public roads

Safety requirements:

• Helmets required for those under age 16
• No operation of E-bikes or E-scooters while wearing headphones or other devices that restrict hearing for riders under age 16
• No carrying passengers (unless device is designed for additional seating)
• No riding after dusk without front white light and rear reflector

General restrictions:

• No mini-motorbikes or pocket bikes on any public property
• No Class 3 e-bikes operated by individuals under the age of 15 (identification stickers required; free from the Police Department)
• No Class 1 or 2 e-bikes operated by individuals under the age of 10
• No riding on unimproved (unpaved) surfaces
• No e-scooters on public streets not designated as “local” or roads with speed limit over 30 mph by operators under age 16

Penalty provisions:

• First offense shall be fined $100 and be required to take a bicycle safety course
• Second offense shall be fined $200. The operator, and their parent or guardian if the operator was a child, shall be required to attend a hearing before the municipal court judge.
• Third offense shall be fined $500. The operator, and their parent or guardian if the operator was a child, shall be required to attend a hearing before the municipal court judge.
• Starting with the second offense, the device shall be confiscated by the issuing officer and released to child accompanied by parent or guardian during business hours.

Our Approach to E-Bike Enforcement

Since the adoption of Ordinance O-25-2329, the Colleyville Police Department has taken an education-first approach to enforcement. Our primary goal is to ensure that riders understand the rules and operate their e-bikes and e-scooters safely. Officers have conducted numerous contacts with residents to explain the ordinance, answer questions, and promote voluntary compliance. The vast majority of these interactions have been positive, and we appreciate the cooperation of our community.

A Note to Parents & Guardians

While the Colleyville Police Department will continue to educate riders on the ordinance, there is no grace extended to any individual who chooses to flee from a police officer.

Unfortunately, a small number of juveniles have made the decision to run from officers during lawful e-bike contacts. These choices have resulted in felony evading charges, and the e-bikes involved were seized as instrumentalities used in the commission of a felony offense. It is never our intent to charge a juvenile with a felony. However, the decision to flee from law enforcement removes that discretion and carries consequences that can impact a young person’s future.

We strongly encourage parents and guardians to have a conversation with their children about the importance of stopping when contacted by law enforcement. An e-bike stop is a brief interaction and often just an educational conversation. Fleeing from an officer transforms that moment into a serious criminal matter. Please help us keep these encounters safe and positive by making sure your child understands: if an officer signals you to stop, you stop.

All operators of e-bikes and e-scooters MUST obey all state and city traffic laws.

Please note that restrictions do not apply to e-bikes and e-scooters being operated on private property (ex. Within gated subdivisions or private neighborhood parks).

State law requires that e-bikes be allowed where traditional bicycles are allowed but does allow for additional local safety regulations that do not conflict with state law.

For more information or questions, contact the Police Department at 817.503.1200 or the City Manager’s Office at 817.503.1112 or via email at alothery@colleyville.com.