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Resident urges Farmers Branch to ban high‑speed 'emotos' from bike lanes, sidewalks and parks
Summary
During public comment, Patrick Trap asked council to prohibit high‑speed e‑moto/motorbike use in bike lanes, sidewalks and parks and to require motorcycles‑style registration for devices exceeding e‑bike speed limits; Council later asked staff to place an ordinance discussion on a future agenda.
Patrick Trap, a Farmers Branch resident, used the public‑comment period to urge the City Council to adopt an ordinance restricting high‑speed electric motorbikes — described in the remarks as "emotos" — from bike lanes, sidewalks and parks and to prohibit operation on city streets by unlicensed riders.
Trap argued manufacturers are marketing heavy, fast vehicles that exceed Texas statutory e‑bike classes and that young, inexperienced riders are operating them in spaces not designed for such speeds. "Emotos are neither bicycles nor ebikes," Trap said, describing models that sometimes reach 40–45 mph and are being sold to minors. He told council that while state law sets e‑bike classes and age restrictions, manufacturers can market faster, heavier machines that blur legal categories and that state statute currently limits local authority to regulate registration, insurance, and licensing.
Later in the meeting Councilman Reed formally requested an agenda item to discuss emotos and similar vehicles and possible ordinance responses; the council did not take final action at the June 2 meeting.
What happens next: City staff was asked to research legal options and bring an ordinance discussion to a future meeting so council can consider local restrictions on where such vehicles may be operated.
