The Woodlands Township hopes to crack down on "E-Devices" before summer

THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP, Texas - With summer break just around the corner, The Woodlands Township is issuing a stern warning to parents and teens: those high-speed electric bikes and scooters are more than just toys—they are motorized vehicles, and they are largely illegal on the community’s pathways.

The Woodlands Township increasing awareness about reckless "E-Device" usage

What we know:

Local officials have launched an educational initiative to combat a rise in reckless riding and significant injuries involving electric vehicles (EVs), according to the Woodlands Township Fire Department and the Montgomery County Hospital District.

By the numbers:

The Woodlands Township's Department of Parks and Recreation says they have over 220 miles of pathways. But local officials say none are designed for the speeds modern e-scooters can reach. 

The Woodlands Fire Chief Palmer Buck says many parents may not realize the power behind the devices they are buying for their children.

"I think parents haven't caught up with the change," Buck said. "From the push scooters, pedal scooters that we saw a lot of kids with a lot of, my kids grew up on, too. Now, these, e-scooters and e-bikes can go so much faster. We're talking about e-scooters, they can reach speeds of 20 to even 30 miles an hour."

The medical consequences of crashing at those speeds are far more severe than a typical bicycle fall, according to Montgomery County Hospital District Chief James Campbell. He points out that the force involved in these accidents often rivals motor vehicle collisions.

"That's our biggest fear when we look at EV vehicles, the injury pattern versus an EV vehicle versus a regular bicycle, we're seeing, more significant injury," Campbell said. "So, if you think about for perspective, in a motor vehicle, the airbag can generally go off at about 15 miles an hour and up. So we're talking about EV vehicles that are averaging speeds between 20 and 30 miles an hour."

How Montgomery County is Enforcing the Law:

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is stepping up enforcement across the county, with a strategy that shifts based on the age of the rider:

• Young Children: If a deputy observes illegal operation, parents will be contacted directly.
• Teens (15 and older): Riders in this age bracket can be issued official warnings or citations.

How to Stay Safe:

There are several Neighborhood Services Programs & Events for Project 365:

Pop-Up Events & Meet & Greets

• April 8: Neighborhood Pop-Up at Thicket Grove Place
• April 22: Neighborhood Pop-Up at Bark Bend Place
• April 29: Neighborhood Pop-Up at Hockenberry Place

Community Events

• April 2: Alden Bridge Village Center Spring Festival
• April 2, 14–16, 21–23: Dog Walker Watch Yappy Hours at Dog Parks
• April 11: Sterling Ridge VA Fishing Tournament at Pepperdale Park
• April 23, 25, 29 & 30: Coffee with a Cop (various locations)

Senior Events & Programs

• April 13: Senior Safety Fair at Kevin Brady Library
• April 16: Ridgewood Senior Apartments

School Events

• April 16: Coulson Tough Elementary Bike Rodeo
• April 23: David Elementary Bike Rodeo