Special Boardroom Briefing

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors held a special meeting to engage community partners in a collaborative discussion on pathway safety and the risks associated with electric vehicles such as e-scooters and e-bikes, which are currently prohibited on Township pathways. The meeting focused on how the Township and its partners can work together to educate the public, with a strong emphasis on reaching parents as the primary influencers of youth behavior. 

Attending agencies shared perspectives, current efforts and ideas for coordinated outreach. Participants included representatives from: 

• Montgomery County Sheriff's Office 

• Harris County Constable Precinct 4 

• Montgomery County Constable Precinct 3 

• Montgomery County Commissioner Precinct 3 

• Montgomery County Commissioner Precinct 4 

• Harris County Commissioners Precinct 3 

• Conroe Independent School District 

• Tomball Independent School District 

• Montgomery County Hospital District 

• City of Oak Ridge North 

• City of Shenandoah 

• Village Associations of Alden Bridge and College Park 

A key theme throughout the meeting was the need to reach parents as the primary influencers of safe behavior, particularly for children and teens who use the pathways for commuting, recreation or socializing. Several speakers emphasized the importance of early education and parental modeling to reinforce basic safety practices such as: 

• Slowing down around others 

• Staying to the right and passing on the left 

• Using proper signals or verbal cues when passing 

• Wearing helmets when biking or scootering  

• Avoiding distractions such as phones or headphones 

• Respecting all pathway users, including walkers, runners and individuals with strollers or mobility aids 

The Board expressed appreciation for the strong participation and emphasized the importance of early and consistent messaging, especially within the home. By targeting parents, the Township and its partners hope to create a ripple effect that fosters safer habits among the next generation of pathway users.  

Next steps include forming a collaborative working group to develop shared resources and strategies, with a focus on timely outreach. The Board affirmed its commitment to a coordinated, community-wide effort to address these concerns through education and engagement.