Alexandria Council to vote on $25 helmet fine for youth e-scooter riders
City officials plan to expand current bicycle safety rules to electric devices for riders 14 and under following a string of regional crashes.
By Ethan Cooper ·
Young riders in Alexandria will face a new set of safety rules if the City Council approves an ordinance scheduled for a vote on Saturday, Nov. 14. The proposal extends the existing helmet requirement for bicycle riders under the age of 15 to users of electric scooters, e-bikes, motorized skateboards, and other personal assistive mobility devices.
The change relies on a Virginia state law effective since July 1, which grants local governments the power to mandate helmet use for minors on these specific types of vehicles. Currently, city code only mandates helmets for traditional bicycle riders 14 and under. If the new ordinance passes, the same age threshold will apply to all electrically powered devices.
Violations of the helmet rule carry a $25 civil penalty. For a first offense, the fine can be suspended if the rider obtains a helmet. Parents are responsible for paying the fine if the minor is 14 or younger.
Regional officials have cited recent fatalities as a primary driver for the update. Deaths involving e-scooter and e-bike riders occurred in Herndon and Ashburn in July, and in Fairfax and Washington, D.C., in September. Local incidents have also heightened concern. In Alexandria, a 16-year-old died in a 2022 crash at Sanger Avenue and N. Beauregard Street. A separate 16-year-old was struck by a vehicle at King Street and N. Quaker Lane in November 2025, and a rider sustained life-threatening injuries from a fall on N. Jordan Street in August 2025.
The city has managed its dockless mobility device program since November 2021, following a 2019 pilot. A 2023 pilot led to the creation of slow zones on the Old Town waterfront, nearby pedestrian blocks, and Founders Park to limit maximum speeds.
A city staff memo indicates that families will learn about the updated policy through Vision Zero outreach efforts. Staff are also coordinating with Alexandria City Public Schools to educate riders and distribute helmets.
The council will hold a first reading of the ordinance on Tuesday, Nov. 10. A public hearing and final vote are set for Saturday, Nov. 14.
