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Coppell police outline electric‑bike rules, recommend aligning local code and helmet requirement
Summary
Police Chief Danny Barton briefed council on state law and local options for regulating electric bicycles, recommending the city align its ordinance with state requirements, consider expanding the helmet requirement, and pursue education and school‑based outreach.
Coppell — Police Chief Danny Barton reviewed state and local rules for electric bicycles on March 11 and asked the council whether to amend the city code to align helmet requirements and explicitly cover e‑bikes.
"The legislature was really clear," Barton told council, summarizing recent state guidance that treats many electric bicycles the same as conventional bicycles for road use. Barton said local authority cannot prohibit e‑bikes where non‑electric bicycles are allowed on streets, and can prohibit e‑bikes only on natural‑surface trails or paths that are not open to motor vehicles. He also noted local authority may set speed limits on bicycle paths.
Barton described the three federal/state classes commonly applied to e‑bikes: class 1 (pedal‑assist to 20 mph), class 2 (throttle‑assist to 20 mph) and class 3 (pedal‑assist to…
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