Katy’s city council held a special workshop meeting on March 18 to consider and discuss changes to its ordinances governing non-road vehicles such as golf carts, e-bikes, electric scooters and ATVs. Councilmember Rory Robertson was absent.

The city’s chief of police, Bryon Woytek, gave a brief summary of the proposed changes. He said that the city currently does not have any regulations for golf carts but generally follows the state regulations and that under current state statutes, golf carts are only allowed in Cane Island, which is the city’s only designated “master-planned community.”

The proposed ordinance would allow anyone in the city of Katy to operate a golf cart within their subdivision. Golf carts must be kept off the main roads and must meet other detailed criteria, Woytek said. Usage would require a valid driver's license, and the cart could not contain more people than its capacity; the vehicle must also be insured and registered with the state ($10 cost). Golf cart use would be restricted to daytime use only. Seatbelt usage would be required if the golf cart is equipped with seat belts.

The proposed ordinance prohibits operation of non-road vehicles on main roads such as Highway 90, Kingsland, and FM 1463 and others, and Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris suggested adding restrictions on Franz Road and Katyland. After discussion, language was proposed to restrict usage on Franz Road east of Avenue D.

Woytek recommended a separate ordinance for e-bikes and motor-assisted scooters. The state has detailed regulations for e-bikes, classifying them as Class 1, 2 or 3, based on how much power they have, he said. “We have a ton of kids who ride electric scooters to school on the sidewalk,” he said and recommended restricting them to be on the sidewalk up to 10 mph. Additional rules would require riders to wear helmets, and that vehicles could not be ridden no faster than 10 mph; headphones would not be allowed while operating the vehicle. The vehicles would not be allowed to carry passengers and would be required to have a headlight to operate after dark, if council approves operation outside of daylight hours. Age requirements were also discussed; many cities require riders to be ten years old or older for classes 1 and 2, Woytek said. Class 3 riders must be 15, he said. Usage would be allowed on the roadway with speeds exceeding 10 mph and where there are no sidewalks.

E-bikes can go up to 28 miles per hour and should be restricted to roads and not allowed on sidewalks, Woytek said. Helmets would be required and nothing could restrict the rider’s hearing, Woytek said. Vehicles would be required to stop at all stop signs as well as at every intersection they cross. There would be no training requirement, he said. Electric motorcycles, which are different from e-bikes, would not be allowed on either a sidewalk or on a roadway because they are designed for off-road use, Woytek said.

Woytek said the city’s rules for vehicles of this type had not been updated since 1999, and since that time, the number of vehicles has increased in the Katy area and “they’ve gotten faster.”

ATVs and UTVs would not be permitted within the city, Woytek said, since those vehicles go up to 50 mph and are “extremely loud.”

The proposed ordinance change would provide for a penalty up to $200.00 per violation.

No action was taken at the meeting.

The city is not alone in updating regulations for these types of vehicles.

Fulshear has recently updated its ordinances governing these matters, with nothing allowed on sidewalks, Woytek said.

In October 2025, Fulshear’s city council approved an amendment to Article III, Chapter 38 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, establishing clear, enforceable rules for the use of motorized and non-motorized vehicles on sidewalks and roadways. The new regulations address safety concerns that have risen as e-scooters and other similar devices become more common throughout the community and have resulted in recent increases in collisions and near-misses between vehicles and sidewalk users, a statement on the city’s website said.

What Fulshear’s ordinance covers under its new regulations:

· Riders on scooters, hoverboards, skateboards, or similar devices must use sidewalks rather than roadways whenever one is available.

· All riders must come to a complete stop before crossing a street, following the same right-of-way rules as pedestrians.

· Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring that children under the age of 15 follow these safety requirements.

· It is unlawful to cling to or attach any small vehicle—such as a bicycle or scooter—to a moving automobile.

· Violations of these provisions may result in fines of up to $500 per offense.


For more information on Fulshear’s ordinance changes, go to https://www.fulsheartexas.gov/Home/Components/News/News/160/.

Similarly, the Katy Independent School District’s police department is also calling for additional safety measures for non-road vehicles. In an open letter to Katy ISD parents and staff, published in the March 3 edition of the Seven Lakes High School e-newsletter, KISD Chief of Police David Rider said that his department and other local law enforcement agencies “have observed an increase in the number of high-speed electric motorcycles being operated by children and teens on neighborhood streets and major roadways. This trend raises serious safety concerns for riders, pedestrians and motorists.”

“In Texas, high-speed electric motorcycles are different from electric bicycles. E-motorcycles are classified as motor vehicles, not bicycles, and can reach speeds over 28 miles per hour,” Rider said in the newsletter. “They are not allowed on sidewalks, trails, or many busy roads in the greater Katy area, and

riding in these areas can put students and neighbors at risk. E-motorcycles require a valid Class M driver’s license, registration, insurance and compliance with all motorcycle traffic laws. Fort Bend County Constable Precinct 1 has recently informed the district that its agency will begin actively enforcing these rules to help keep everyone safe.”

“We encourage parents and guardians to talk with their children about the risks of riding these vehicles and to help ensure they are used safely and legally,” Rider said. “We also ask staff to stay alert and kindly report any unsafe activity they observe.”

The next meeting of city council was scheduled for March 23, after the Katy Times went to press for this issue.