Southlake riders on e-bikes and motorized scooters face 15 new violations, fines up to $500 and the possibility of having their vehicles impounded.

The Southlake City Council approved the expanded bicycle ordinance at its Tuesday, Oct. 6 meeting, first reported by Community Impact. The changes add parental responsibility provisions for riders under 18 and target safety complaints cited by police. The council had been discussing e-bike regulations since at least June 16, when the topic appeared on its meeting agenda.

Violations typically result in a Class C misdemeanor, carrying fines up to $500, Police Chief Ashleigh Casey said. Three or more offenses could lead to the vehicle being impounded.

"A lot of complaints and safety concerns have been about scooters and bikes operated at night," Casey said at the Oct. 6 meeting.

The department recorded about 100 e-bike violations in Southlake over the past year, Casey said.

What the rules require

The ordinance sets a 15 mph speed limit on sidewalks and trails. Bicycles, e-bikes and motorized scooters are banned from sidewalks in the Town Square District.

All devices must carry a front lamp and a red lamp or reflector on the back. Riders under 18 cannot use mobile devices or headphones while riding. Vehicles operated by children must have a permanent seat.

Motorized scooters cannot be used on roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or higher when no sidewalk is present. Pocket bikes and mini motorbikes are banned citywide. Those vehicles often run on gasoline.

E-bikes fall into three state-defined classes. Class 1 (pedal assist) and Class 2 (throttle) top out at 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes can reach 28 mph and cannot be operated by anyone under 15, per state law.

Parents on the hook

The ordinance holds parents responsible when their children break the rules. Under the new language, parents are presumed to have known and allowed a child to operate a vehicle in a prohibited area or manner.

Existing helmet requirements extend to e-bikes and scooters. Riding without a helmet is an offense for both the child and the parent.

Carrying more passengers than a vehicle is built for is also a violation. Dealers that sell or lease e-bikes and scooters must provide buyers a written copy of the city's bicycle ordinance, according to city documents.

Residents can review the full ordinance and local rules for e-bikes, scooters and other motorized vehicles on the city's information page.