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Residents ask Castle Dale to consider limited dirt-bike access and safety training; council to consult attorney
Summary
During public comment residents urged the council to permit limited, lawful dirt-bike use via safety classes and a designated track; the mayor cited state law requiring street-legal/insured vehicles and said staff will consult the city attorney before making changes.
Several residents told the Castle Dale City Council on Dec. 11 that supervised dirt-bike opportunities and a safety-education program could keep youth active, reduce property damage and provide a safer alternative to unregulated riding.
A resident proposed a safety-training course covering right-of-way, signaling and basic riding skills with a required pass before limited use would be permitted. Speakers said a sanctioned track or improved access to BLM land (roughly 40 acres discussed earlier) would be ideal but noted crossing Highway 29 is a primary obstacle.
Mayor/City staff responded that a new state law requires off-highway vehicles that are ridden on public streets to be street-legal and insured, which limits the city’s ability to modify state law by ordinance. The mayor said he would consult the city attorney about liability and enforcement questions and report back.
The council moved to table any immediate policy change pending additional information, including consultation with the sheriff’s office and legal review. Council members and residents discussed contacting neighboring towns that have navigated similar issues and exploring site options such as the former dump property or BLM parcels for a designated facility.
