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 pathways has changed the dynamics of how residents use them.” Tom Lanthorne, a crossing guard and resident, recommended a 10 mile‑per‑hour limit, school‑based education, and rumble strips at intersections to reduce surprise approaches.

Staff framed the decision around a HALFF micro‑mobility analysis included in the meeting packet and a review of the township’s existing order that currently prohibits motorized vehicles on township pathways. Dr. Chris Nunes, chief operating officer, told the board the township controls only pathways and parks on land it owns; roadways fall under county and state jurisdiction. He also described enforcement limits: township rangers may ask users to move on, but citations for criminal trespass require sheriff involvement and the system’s 220 miles and 44 square‑mile footprint make comprehensive enforcement difficult.

Key factual details from staff and public comment:
- The township’s pathway network is roughly 220 miles; most paths are about 8 feet wide, with a handful 10–12 feet and some narrow 6‑foot connectors.
- Staff estimates about 650,000 pathway users and operates 10 monitoring stations across the community.
- HALFF’s analysis cited a speed‑related reduction in head‑injury risk if vehicle speeds drop from roughly 15.5 mph (25 kph) to about 9.3 mph (15 kph), supporting a suggested 10 mph guidance.
- Staff estimated that about 85–90% of observed EMDs are smaller stand‑on scooters; seated scooters, mini‑bikes and golf‑cart‑style vehicles were flagged as higher risk.
- Enforcement is currently limited: park rangers lack ticketing authority and the township typically calls sheriff deputies for persistent trespass cases several times a year.

The board did not remove the existing township order at the meeting. Instead, directors endorsed a two‑track approach: (1) immediately expand education and outreach, with coordinated messages to schools, parents and visitors; and (2) prepare potential amendments to the township order for a public hearing in July if the board chooses that path. Dr. Nunes said the staff will return with a proposed job description and budget options for a safety education coordinator (full time, part time or contracted) and a tiered plan for signage, pop‑up outreach and selective infrastructure changes if education does not move the needle.

Chairman Bailey and several directors asked staff to draft and circulate three near‑term letters: to Conroe ISD and other school districts asking to partner on school‑based safety education; to Montgomery County (and county commissioners) to explore joint enforcement and infrastructure coordination; and to neighboring municipalities to share best practices and resources. Director Chris Schneider and others emphasized rapid action ahead of the school year and holiday seasons when device adoption tends to spike.

Directors and public commenters also urged mandatory helmet use, clearer pathway signage, more visible intersection treatments, and an expanded ranger presence if the prohibition is retained. Some directors cautioned against lifting the current prohibition without a certification program and clearer enforcement tools; others favored allowing certain lower‑speed classes of devices with strict education and registration requirements. Township legal staff indicated any amendment to the order would require a public hearing.

The board’s formal action was limited to accepting the staff report. Staff recorded the following directions and next steps: begin an immediate education campaign (materials, social media, pop‑ups at high‑use sites), draft the coordinator job description and budget scenarios, prepare letters to school districts and county governments for board sign‑off, and return in July with a proposed timetable and, if directed, a draft amendment and public‑hearing schedule.

Board acceptance of the report was moved by Director Franks and seconded by Director Snyder; the motion carried.

The board did not adopt an ordinance or new enforcement mechanism at the meeting; any regulatory change will require a future public hearing and possible coordination with county and state partners.

Sources: public comments and staff presentation during The Woodlands Township Board of Directors meeting; HALFF micro‑mobility analysis included in the board packet.