The Woodlands directors back education-first response to rising e-bike and scooter use on pathways

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors on Wednesday accepted a staff report on electric mobility devices — including e‑scooters, e‑bikes and similar devices — and directed staff to launch a rapid education campaign and pursue intergovernmental outreach while preparing regulatory options for a future public hearing.

The board voted to accept the report after more than an hour of public comment and discussion. Chairman Brad Bailey said the matter is a “major public safety issue” and asked staff to coordinate letters to Conroe Independent School District, Montgomery County and neighboring municipalities to explore joint solutions.

The issue matters because township pathways are a high‑use, multiuser network that connects schools, parks and neighborhoods. Residents and safety advocates told the board they have seen a rapid increase in small, high‑speed electric devices ridden by school‑age children and adults, and they urged a mix of education, posted speed guidance and selective infrastructure changes so the system remains safe and usable for walkers, joggers, children and cyclists.

Public commenters described both personal safety concerns and potential policy fixes. Tricia Monticello Kiedlin, president of the Bike the Woodlands Coalition, told the board: “This culture of sharing the pathways is critical to making them safe and enjoyable for all residents, and the rise of higher speed electric vehicles on the…