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Hyde Park police call for statewide action after rise in electric "motorcycle" incidents
Summary
Hyde Park Police reported increasing incidents involving high-speed electric motorcycles and e-bikes, described them as a statewide problem, and said chiefs across the valley are pushing for legislative changes to classify some models as motor vehicles.
Hyde Park — Hyde Park police described a spike in high-speed electric motorcycles and related crashes during the city council meeting on Sept. 10, saying the devices pose a growing public-safety problem across the valley.
The chief of police told the council and the public that the department has seen riders using so-called e-motorcycles in parks, on sidewalks and on roadways, sometimes at speeds high enough to cause serious crashes. “This is a a big problem through the entire state, not just here in Hyde Park,” the chief said.
City officials and the chief said recent incidents include high-speed riding in parks and at least one fatality elsewhere in the region. The chief summarized how current state law treats high-powered electric motorcycles as off-highway vehicles in many cases and said that status limits local enforcement options. “Currently, the way it sits as far as the laws of the of the road, it is considered an off highway vehicle,” the chief said, adding that the devices could be made “street legal” only if they meet equipment and licensing requirements similar to motorcycles.
The chief described a coordinated approach being pursued by police leaders across the valley: the Utah Chiefs of Police Association has formed a legislative work group to propose changes for the coming legislative session. The group is considering reclassifying some electric motorcycles as motor vehicles, which would subject operators to licensing, endorsement and equipment requirements — and create clearer enforcement tools for police. “There’s talk about making it or considering the legal definition of those to make it a vehicle rather than an off highway vehicle,” the chief said.
Council members and city staff said they are tracking complaints from residents about dangerous riding behavior in city parks and on sidewalks. The chief said local enforcement can issue citations in some circumstances (for example, operating without a required endorsement) and can cite parents when juvenile operators are involved, but practical enforcement has been hindered by the devices’ current legal classification and by incidents in which riders leave before officers arrive.
The council was told a legislative solution will likely be needed to address equipment, training and liability gaps for electric motorcycles. The chief said the valley-wide work group will develop proposals to submit to lawmakers and noted the need for public education and a balanced enforcement approach to avoid overly punitive measures for youth.
The council’s public-safety discussion did not result in a formal motion; council members asked staff and the chief to continue coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and the statewide chiefs’ group. The chief offered to discuss details with council members and residents after the meeting.
Ending — The police chief urged residents to report incidents and offered to return with additional recommendations if the chiefs’ legislative work group identifies a concrete statutory change for local adoption or enforcement.
