DRAPER — The Draper Police Department has started cracking down on electric motorcycles.
In a Facebook post, the police department reminded the public that the electric motorcycles are classified by state law as off-road vehicles.
"Per Utah State Code and Draper City Ordinance, they are not legal to operate on any public road, sidewalk, trail, or in parks," the post stated.
Police said the problem with those motorcycles is twofold — speeding through city streets and causing damage to public property.
At Bellevue Park on Thursday evening, Lt. Mike Elkins pointed out significant damage to sod caused by electric motorcycles.
"It's nearly impossible to repair it," Elkins said. "Our city crews can't even get replacement sod in here before the bikes are coming back over it."
As a nearby sign indicates, electric motorcycles aren't allowed in Draper parks, nor are they permitted on city streets. Elkins said under state law, they're considered off-road vehicles.
But, he added, many young riders don't seem to care.
"These people are fleeing. They're taking off at high speed, and that's extremely dangerous," Elkins said. "We're talking (about) juveniles."
Police are asking parents to help solve this problem before it gets worse.
"It really is just a matter of time before a kid gets significantly injured," Elkins said.
In fact, according to police data, in the last year, there have been 25 crashes involving electric motorcycles, bikes, or scooters in Draper – half of which involved injuries, with eight involving drivers who were 14 or younger.
Elkins called this a "community issue" – not just a law enforcement one.
"We continue to ask parents' assistance in helping us get a grip on this," he said, "so we don't have more serious injuries than we've had."
