JAMES CITY COUNTY – James City County officials are considering expanding local helmet requirements to include electric bikes and scooters following growing concerns about safety on roads, sidewalks and residential streets.
During the JCC Board of Supervisors meeting on May 26, County Attorney Adam Kinsman presented supervisors with a draft framework for a possible bike helmet ordinance update. The discussion focused on whether the county should broaden existing helmet laws, which apply to bicycles on highways, streets, sidewalks and bike paths.
Kinsman explained that electric bikes already cover “all of those electric motorized things that go fast,” though scooters and other devices may require separate definitions under county code.
Currently, county code requires ages 14 and younger to wear helmets while riding bicycles, though the board is considering expanding the requirement to include riders using e-bikes, e-scooters and other motorized devices.
During the discussion, officials pointed to the growing number of motorized scooters, skateboards and e-bikes operating on public roads and sidewalks, particularly by children and teenagers.
“We’ve seen incidents involving traumatic brain injuries,” Chairman John McGlennon said. “If helmets can help, I’d be open to considering it further.”
Board members also discussed concerns about riders traveling at high speeds in residential neighborhoods and along busy roadways such as John Tyler Highway and Route 60.
Kinsman said county authority over private roads is limited. Under county code, some private roads in larger neighborhoods are treated as public for law enforcement purposes, but the county cannot regulate HOA-owned sidewalks.
Officials also noted that scooters are increasingly being used for transportation by students and residents, leading some supervisors to stress that the goal is safety rather than prohibition.
“I wouldn’t want to ban a scooter, necessarily, because some students use it as transportation,” said Vice Chair Ruth Larson. “But I would like it done safely, if possible.”
Kinsman said he will bring a proposed ordinance draft back to the board later this year.
