Fulshear city leaders are considering tougher safety measures for e-bikes and electric scooters after two children were killed in separate crashes in the Fort Bend County area.
City council member Randy Connor has proposed a task force to examine whether local rules should be strengthened and how young riders can be better protected. The group would report to the council and review Texas law, school district policies and regulations in other communities.
Connor said the deaths had made further action urgent. “We’ve had two tragedies in the area in the last two months. That right there told me we’ve got to move forward and do something,” he said.
The task force could include police officers, residents, school representatives and city officials. Its recommendations would focus particularly on school zones, crossings and measures that fall within Fulshear’s powers under state law.
Mayor Don McCoy said possible options included age restrictions, banning the devices from certain areas and giving parents more safety information before moving towards enforcement.
Fulshear e-bike safety measures considered after child deaths
Several children addressed the council during public comment and called for helmets to be made compulsory.
“Even if you’re only going a short distance or riding carefully, an accident can still happen,” one student said. Another urged councillors to “pass a simple ordinance. No helmet, no ride.”
The debate follows the death of a 15-year-old boy from Katy, who was killed in Brookshire on October 10 when his e-bike collided with a car. The Texas Department of Public Safety said the teenager was riding against traffic and had no lights.
An 11-year-old girl was also killed in September after an e-scooter crash near Katy, authorities said.
Fulshear already has an ordinance governing e-scooters, e-bikes and similar small vehicles. Adopted in 2025, it requires riders to use a pavement where one is available, stop before crossing a road and follow pedestrian right-of-way rules. Breaches can attract fines of up to $500, while parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring children under 15 comply with the requirements.
The city has since run safety campaigns through schools, council youth programmes, utility-bill messages, road signs and online communications. Officials are now considering whether education should be supplemented by further restrictions.
Interim police chief David Gott said officers were concerned that some children were modifying e-bikes to make them travel faster. He urged parents to check that vehicles had not been altered and to discuss safe riding with their children.
Police have also advised riders to wear helmets, use lights after dark, stop completely before entering a crossing and make eye contact with drivers before proceeding. Gott said children should walk their bikes or scooters across the road rather than riding through a crossing.
