Fort Worth officials outline e-bike and scooter rules, say HOAs can restrict private areas as city readies ordinance update

Deputy Chief Sean Conjura briefed the Public Safety Committee on June 2 about how state and local law apply to electric bicycles, scooters and similar devices and on options available to homeowners associations.

Conjura said City of Fort Worth Ordinances Chapter 22 currently governs many e-bikes under bicycle rules covering safety equipment, proper operation, prohibited conduct and helmet laws. He described class 1 (pedal-assist), class 2 (throttle plus pedal assist) and class 3 e-bikes and noted that under Texas statute the 28 mph threshold is the maximum speed for a vehicle to qualify as a bicycle rather than a licensed motor vehicle.

“All of these vehicles are absolutely prohibited from traveling on sidewalks, on public property,” Conjura said, adding that many off‑road electric vehicles are intended for private property and can travel at speeds that make them unsafe in public right-of-way. He told the committee municipalities can adopt rules that go beyond state law and that the city’s presentation was intended as an educational step before drafting ordinance changes.

Conjura explained that homeowners associations that control privately owned common areas — sidewalks, trails, parking lots or green spaces within a development — may adopt rules (speed limits, age restrictions, designated riding areas) that limit or prohibit these devices on HOA property. When sidewalks are publicly dedicated and maintained, regulation falls under municipal/state law, he said.

A committee member asked about golf carts; Conjura said officers typically educate operators first, and noted some state-law exceptions for limited contexts but that detailed city ordinance language would be needed to regulate golf-cart use more fully in Fort Worth.

Council member Elizabeth raised helmet-parity concerns; Conjura said the department is preparing a comprehensive ordinance update that will be provided to council for review and can address community concerns including helmet requirements and other safety measures.

Conjura emphasized enforcement options — reckless operation, traffic violations, unsafe equipment and illegal operation — and the department’s focus on education and targeted enforcement while staff develop specific ordinance language for council consideration.