Fulshear City Council created an e-safety committee at its Oct. 20 meeting, responding to recent fatal e-bike and e-scooter crashes in the area.

Council Member Randy Connor, who described the new body as an e-safety committee, said it would potentially include members from the council, the Fulshear Police Department, parents, residents and a young scooter rider, Community Impact reported. The goal is to hear all sides of the issue, Connor said.

"If the kids will follow safety protocols, obey the rules, use the crosswalks properly, use the safety equipment, we can certainly minimize … their exposure to risk," Connor said.

The committee's first meeting is set for Nov. 18. Its agenda includes daylight-hours restrictions, sidewalk rules and whether regulations should differ on private versus public property. Any additional requirements the committee develops would go to council in mid-January if an initial helmet ordinance passes.

That initial ordinance could come sooner. City Attorney Charles Zech and City Manager Zach Goodlander are expected to present an ordinance requiring minors to wear helmets while riding e-bikes and e-scooters at the council's Nov. 17 meeting, Connor said.

During public comment Oct. 20, several children spoke in favor of what they called a "No Helmet, No Ride" rule for minors.

Not every council member thinks helmets go far enough. Council Member Richard Russell said waiting too long for a solution risks another crash. He went further.

"I'm suggesting an all-out ban," Russell said. "I'll fall on that sword."

Connor acknowledged the recent accidents have fueled support for a ban but said the committee would explore options short of that step. He said people are getting more conscious and more interested in protecting children's safety.

Connor said discussions with state Rep. Gary Gates have already taken place about possibly presenting information to the Texas Legislature at its next session. The city is also planning town halls and additional police department safety programs aimed at families.

Connor said education is the committee's starting point. "We believe that education is where all this starts," he said. "Of course, education at home being the number one priority, but we want to enhance that."

Fulshear residents can weigh in at the Nov. 17 council meeting, when the helmet ordinance is expected to be presented, or at the committee's Nov. 18 session.