Graham Council Weighs E-Scooter Ban on Public Property, Hearing April 2

The Graham City Council is considering an ordinance amendment that would prohibit the use of motor-assisted electric scooters on public property except for people with disabilities, and the measure drew a first reading on the council agenda at the March 5 meeting. The council has scheduled a public hearing to receive comment at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, April 2 in council chambers listed at 608 Elm Street for consideration before any further action.

The proposed amendment points council members toward existing pedestrian and device rules in the municipal code, including Section 24.13, which currently restricts devices on roadways. The code reads, "No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle or similar device shall go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk and when so crossing such person shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians," language council staff flagged as part of the review.

City public-safety outreach around scooters has already taken place. The Graham Police Department and city hosted an informational safety program on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at North Central Texas College to explain safe operation and equipment expectations. At that event Marrufo said, "It’s like a bicycle. A bike at night is supposed to be equipped with a red reflector to the rear and a white light attached to the bike and same thing with the scooter. It’s got to have a light and it’s got to have a reflector. It’s all for a reason."

Not all published city notices use the same address for council chambers. Notices for other Graham hearings list Council Chambers at Graham City Hall, 201 S. Main Street, and past City of Graham materials reference hearings at 201 S. Main Street, including a public hearing scheduled April 12, 2022 for an annexation matter. Because meeting notices and packets list both 608 Elm Street and 201 S. Main Street at different times, residents planning to testify or attend should confirm the April 2 hearing location and any virtual participation options with the City Clerk before arriving.

Key details remain unanswered in public materials available to the council: the complete ordinance text defining "motor-assisted" or "electric" scooters, enforcement mechanisms and penalties, the process by which the disability exception would be applied, and which categories of public property would be covered (sidewalks, parks, roadways). Council precedent shows text amendments and annexation items typically move from first reading to a public hearing and then to subsequent votes; past packets record motions by Mayor Pro Tem Hall and Mayor Talley to manage public hearings and approve text amendments.

The April 2 hearing will be the first formal opportunity for residents, disability advocates, public-safety officials and council members to address the ordinance before any vote. City meeting packets and the official agenda should be reviewed for the final ordinance language, sponsor identification, and confirmed meeting location.