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Residents, council discuss e‑bike and scooter damage on trails; city to expand outreach
Summary
Public commenters raised concerns about e-bikes and scooters damaging trails and posing safety risks; council said it will increase outreach and consider enforcement tools used by neighboring jurisdictions.
Residents told the Fruit Heights City Council that e-bikes and motorized scooters are damaging trails, creating safety hazards and breaking irrigation equipment. Commenters described watching riders operate recklessly on park turf and on trails, sometimes in front of vehicles.
One resident described Farmington’s enforcement approach as an example: the city would impound encountered e‑bikes and charge a fine to retrieve them. "They came down really hard, very quickly with it… the city would impound it, so it's not a shark compounding it. And to get it back, we have to pay a fine, I think, it's like $400," said an attendee during public comment.
Council members and staff said the city is aware the problem is regional and that they will step up public outreach. "We will continue. Most likely, we'll go out on Facebook as well as RedRunner in the next little bit," said John Paul, the presiding official. He added that all county communities are experiencing similar issues and that staff would look at messaging and potential enforcement options.
Council members discussed outreach options aimed at parents and youth, including printed guidance and working with local schools. Staff noted enforcement alone may not reach riders without driver’s licenses and emphasized education aimed at parents and guardians.
The council did not adopt an enforcement ordinance at the meeting. Instead, members directed staff to increase public information and to evaluate measures used by nearby jurisdictions.
