The Austin Police Department is increasing its enforcement of laws surrounding high-powered electric motorcycles, or e-motos, after residents and city leaders raised concerns about them at the Austin Mobility Committee meeting on Sept. 3.
William White, who oversees the APD’s Highway Enforcement Command, said the crackdown follows a rise in e-motos operating in areas reserved for registered vehicles and bicycles, creating “dangerous traffic situations.” The new focus on enforcement will include giving riders more warnings and citations and arresting riders for more serious violations.
Texas state law classifies e-motos as motorcycles because they fail to meet the definition of an e-bike. E-motos differ from e-bikes because they are pedal-less, powered by a motor that exceeds 750 watts and can reach unassisted speeds of 28 mph or more. They require a motorcycle licence, insurance and the user to wear a helmet if they are under 21.
“A lot of folks might think that simply because you can buy (e-motos) legally, … it’s okay for them to operate in the same manner (as e-bikes),” White said. “I could see that as being one of the major factors driving that they believe it’s street legal, so that’s part of the reason we’re trying to make sure that the public is aware that these don’t meet the (same) definition of being street legal.”
APD has circulated bulletins to help officers distinguish e-motos from e-bikes and motorcycles, and it has posted educational videos for the public on social media, White said.
Zohaib “Zo” Qadri, Austin City Council member for District 9 who represents UT and West Campus, co-sponsored a resolution in May directing the city to develop clearer rules, expand officer training and launch a public awareness campaign. Qadri said the effort, begun by Council member Paige Ellis, was meant to keep streets safe for pedestrians and cyclists from e-motos, which have proliferated among teenagers and kids.
Qadri said he sees existing laws as largely adequate, but enforcement has lagged.
“If people are doing things they shouldn’t be doing, we need to make sure that proper enforcement comes in place,” Qadri said.
The UT Police Department has not received any service calls involving e-motos, a University spokesperson wrote in an email. The spokesperson wrote the University’s rules restricting personal electric vehicles on campus were put in place to address issues the campus was already experiencing. UTPD and Parking and Transportation Services continue to enforce existing rules within their jurisdictions.