Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Sandy officials address electric vehicle safety concerns at Dimple Dell Regional Park.
- New signs clarify rules prohibiting e-motorcycles; e-bikes allowed where bicycles are.
- Utah law mandates helmets for riders under 21; enforcement to increase for violations.
SANDY — There has been an increasing number of complaints over high-speed electric bicycles and electric motorcycles at Dimple Dell Regional Park and across Sandy, says Jeff Nigbur, Sandy's interim police chief.
Most of these have been concerns about young riders riding in and out of traffic and traveling at "unsafe speeds" on sidewalks and trails, he said. However, multiple near-misses with vehicles and pedestrians and confusion over what is and isn't legal inspired a new effort to better inform park visitors about the rules.
Sandy leaders and police gathered at Dimple Dell on Thursday to begin installing new signs that make it abundantly clear that motorized vehicles and e-motorcycles are prohibited. They say it's all aimed at sorting out the confusion that exists between e-bikes and e-motorcycles.
"This isn't about being anti-recreation or anti-technology," said Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski, before helping install the first of the new warning signs. "When it comes to our open space, we need to share it responsibly."
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, which generally travel up to 20 mph, are acceptable on most outdoor trails, but Class 3 e-bikes are usually in a gray area because they can travel at faster speeds closer to e-motorcycles. In most cases, e-bikes are acceptable in places where regular bicycles are allowed at the park and on the road, Nigbur explained.
The biggest difference for e-motorcycles is that they typically have over 750 watts of power and can travel faster than 20 mph, he added. Utah also requires a driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement to operate an e-motorcycle, and e-motorcyclists must also be at least 16 years old, with their vehicle properly registered and insured.
Utah lawmakers passed a bill this year seeking to improve safety for both types of riders, though. HB381 requires all e-bicycle and e-motorcycle riders under 21 to wear a helmet. Sandy police plan on educating young riders first, but will begin issuing warnings and tougher enforcement — citations and vehicle impoundment — during "serious circumstances" like reckless driving, Nigbur said.
"Sometimes the enforcement part of this can be a downer, and we certainly don't want that. We want people to enjoy the outdoors, and we want people to have fun, especially in our parks and in our communities, but we have to do it safely," he said. "We have to understand the law before we do."
Tyrese Boone, KSLCracking down on improper riding in Dimple Dell Regional Park, a popular 630-acre nature preserve cutting through the city, can improve safety and the experience for the many hikers, runners, cyclists and horseback riders of all ages who also use the park, Zoltanski added.
She said having e-motorcycles cutting through blind turns on the trails can cause conflicts and "a lot of serious harm" to people, pets and wildlife. Anyone who spots a violation is urged to call police dispatch at 801-799-3000 unless it's an emergency.
Nigbur encourages parents to sit down with their children and help them understand the law and requirements, noting that parents can also be affected by some of the laws if their children are underage.
Those unsure of their or their child's e-bike classification can find it on the frame of their bike, usually near the pedals, police said.
Sandy's message highlights an increasing challenge at trails throughout most of Salt Lake County, said Chris Otto, the county's parks and recreation division director. Other cities may end up posting their own signs in parks and outdoor spaces as e-bikes and e-motorcycles become more common.
"I think you're going to see a lot more of this throughout the county on our trails," he said. "We want people to recreate. We love seeing folks out there; we just want them to do it safely."
