Government
BY JESSICA SHORTEN
As the use of e-bikes and e-scooters on pathways in The Woodlands Township grows, township board members are looking into revising policies banning the vehicles from pathways to instead educate children and parents on potential dangers and safe use of the vehicles. “Over the last four years, we have seen a dramatic increase in some statistics ... where we see critical adoption of this technology by folks around the country and even in our community at large,” township Chief Operating Ocer Chris Nunes said. The township commissioned a study from Hal Associates regarding the use of e-bikes and similar vehicles on township pathways in early 2025. The primary recommendation of the study was to begin allowing the vehicles on township pathways alongside an education and outreach program regarding safety measures such as wearing helmets and obeying speed limits. E-bike policy revisited amid safety concerns 1 Kuykendahl Road at Research Forest Drive 2 Sawmill Road at Sawdust Road 3 Woodlands Parkway at FM 2978 4 Woodlands Parkway at Panther Creek Drive The Woodlands pedestrian incident hotspots The report identied 139 crashes that involved a pedestrian or bicyclist between 2019-2024.
Why now?
Causes of EMD fatalities nationwide, 2017 22
Despite the township’s ban on electric micromobility devices, or EMDs, since 2021, Nunes and township legal counsel Bret Strong said enforcement of the ban has historically been a dicult task for the township due to a lack of both sta and authority to issue citations. “You’re not going to stop this process,” Strong said. “We need to do what’s responsible as a township … and educate people so that we try to limit the exposure of everyone involved with vehicles, riders and pedestrians.” Nunes said the township will need to invest in community education eorts, especially within local public and private schools, whether the board ultimately decides to allow e-bike vehicles or not. “I don’t have an answer right now, but if we don’t act as a board, it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when someone’s going to get killed or severely hurt,” board Chair Brad Bailey said.
E-bikes
Collision with motor vehicles: 56% Unknown falls/ other: 21% Control issues: 15% Collision with pedestrian: 8%
Total: 104
E-scooters
Collision with motor vehicles: 67% Control issues: 16% Unknown falls/ other: 13% Collision with pedestrian: 4%
Total: 111
SOURCE: HALFF ASSOCIATESCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Stay tuned
Potential changes
On June 25, board members approved sending letters to surrounding school districts and municipalities requesting support in regulating EMD usage. “Sometimes people think, ‘Oh, it’s just a little bicycle injury. It’s not a big deal,’ but some of these bicycle injuries are permanent,” board member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs said. “Some of them are deadly, but a lot of them are permanent.” However, some residents believe regulating EMDs on pathways is needed. “Something has to change on our pathways as a community. We need to do more to keep each other safe and to share this amazing asset,” said Patricia Monticello Kievlan, president of the Bike The Woodlands coalition during the meeting. “These electric vehicles are not going away, and it seems prudent to adopt policies and practices that make specic recommendations for their safe use.” Board member Cindy Heiser also suggested potentially looking into bike lane installation in the township in partnership with the county.
Potential e-bike policy allowances According to a recommendation from Hal Associates, if The Woodlands Township approves allowing e-bikes and e-scooters on pathways, certain devices should still be prohibited from use.
Allowed
Not allowed
Maybe
Paved pathways (8 ft.)
Paved pathways (10 ft.)
Unpaved pathways
E-skateboards E-unicycle E-scooter E-bike (Class 1) 20 mph maximum speed, no throttle E-bike (Class 2) 20 mph maximum speed, throttle E-bike (Class 3) 28 mph maximum speed Seated e-scooter E-minibike Golf cart
1488
45
1
R E
242
3
4
WOODLANDS PKWY.
W. PANTHER CREEK DR.
GOSLING RD.
2
SAWDUST RD.
2978
SAWMILL RD.
N
SOURCES: HALFF ASSOCIATES, THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIPCOMMUNITY IMPACT
17
THE WOODLANDS EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook