Trophy Club Town Council approved updates to ordinances regarding electronic bicycles, also known as e-bikes, scooters, motorized golf carts and other small personal transportation devices.
The ordinance took effect on Feb. 27, according to a town news release. The town conducted a traffic study in October, and part of the information from that study led to future discussions about micro-mobility regulations on city streets, according to a Jan. 12 work session.
“Trophy Club is a community where families are active outdoors, and golf carts are a common mode of transportation in our neighborhoods,” Trophy Club Mayor Jeannette Tiffany said. “These updates ensure that both micromobility users and golf cart passengers—especially children—are protected with clear, consistent safety standards.”
Zooming in
The change in ordinance broadens the scope of regulated devices to include electric bicycles, electric motor-assisted scooters, manual scooters, pocket bikes, mini-motorbikes, electric skateboards, segways, hoverboards, skateboards with one or more wheels and similar devices, according to a town news release.
Gas-powered devices are still prohibited under Chapter 12 of the city code.
The revised ordinance establishes clearer rules for where and when devices may operate and introduces enhanced safety measures such as helmet requirements for children, lighting standards, speed limits on sidewalks and trails and pedestrian right-of-way protections.
Police Chief Patrick Arata said there are three levels of bikes: the first two are under 20 miles per hour and the third is up to 28 miles per hour, he said during the work session.
“I think every Christmas holiday season we see a new wave come through, as we just saw,” Arata said during the work session.
Here are the notable rules in place now:
All children under 14 must wear a properly fitted and secured helmet while operating or riding a micromobility device. Parents may not knowingly permit a child to ride without one.Devices operated outside of daytime hours must have a white front light visible from at least 500 feet and a red rear reflector or red light visible from 500 feet.Operation on public sidewalks, park paths and designated public trails is limited to 15 miles per hour.Devices may be operated on public streets during daytime hours—defined as 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset—subject to posted speed limits and compliance with traffic laws.Children may not use handheld electronic devices or wear headphones that inhibit hearing while operating on public streets, sidewalks or trails.Operators must yield to pedestrians, slow to a safe speed and provide an audible warning before passing.“It gives anybody in the police department an opportunity, if they see some kids riding around that don’t have helmets, they can also help to educate a little bit about the right way, to share the road or share the sidewalk,” Mayor Pro Tem Rhylan Rowe said. “Which is actually the hardest part.”
What else?
A new safety requirement was added for golf carts, adding new child passenger protections aimed at reducing preventable injuries and aligning with state safety standards.
During the work session, Arata noted a large number of citizens use a golf cart to traverse the city, whether to go to Trophy Club Town Center, Tom Thumb or the schools in town.
The change for passengers age 14 or younger requires them to wear a seatbelt when in a motorized golf cart. The exception is that it does not apply to golf carts that are being used at Trophy Club Country Club.
“We regularly see families using motorized carts throughout our community,” said Chief Arata. “Adding seatbelt requirements is a common-sense step that helps prevent serious injuries. This measure gives us clearer standards and reinforces safe practices.”
The details
Violations are subject to fines ranging from $1 to $200 per offense, with each day constituting a separate offense. In certain cases, repeat juvenile offenders may be required to appear before a municipal court judge with a parent, according to a news release.
Arata said the department’s focus will be on education and voluntary compliance, with officers exercising discretion. Educational handouts will be distributed throughout the community, including through schools and through Trophy Club Police Department School Resource Officers, and information will be posted online.
“As technology and transportation options continue to change, it’s important that our policies remain current,” City Manager Brandon Wright said. “These updates provide clarity, strengthen safety expectations and ensure we are protecting residents—particularly children—whether they are riding a scooter, an e-bike or traveling in a motorized cart.”
