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Council reviews survey on e‑motorcycles; staff favors training, not immediate ban
Summary
The council reviewed raw survey results showing safety concerns about e‑motorcycles, particularly among 12–15 year olds; staff and police said enforcement is difficult when riders flee, and state action and training requirements are expected next session.
North Logan City Council spent substantial time on Oct. 22 reviewing preliminary survey results about electric motorcycles and related personal‑mobility devices, hearing widespread resident concerns about unsafe operation and discussing local and state policy options.
Alan (staff) introduced the work‑session item and stressed the survey was raw ("not a statistically valid survey") and intended to gather public input. The slides and comments showed most respondents did not own an e‑motorcycle and many said they had seen unsafe operation. Alan read representative open‑ended comments: many respondents urged restrictions for children, training requirements, and prohibition on sidewalks and paths. "Children do not understand traffic laws... They need to be regulated," one summarized comment read.
Chief Thompson described enforcement challenges: officers avoid vehicle pursuits for minor infractions and have encountered groups of riders who flee on wheelies, complicating enforcement. He said the legislature's work group is discussing training requirements and possible licensing points that could affect juveniles' future driver's licenses. "There's gonna be some type of training component that comes out of it this next year," Chief Thompson said, and staff expects further state guidance during the coming session.
Council members discussed city‑level options — from requiring street‑legal equipment and motorcycle endorsements to a city registration or licensing program — but noted practical hurdles: changing the classification to a motor vehicle would mandate registration, insurance and more costly compliance. Several members favored waiting for the state to act and then tailoring local rules (for example, banning use on sidewalks and paths and requiring training or permits for underage riders).
Staff recommended focusing on education, school outreach, and coordination with juvenile justice representatives and the state working group; Chief Thompson said police would continue targeting the most dangerous riders. No ordinance or motion was adopted; staff will report back as state proposals evolve.
