Clinton council adopts state e‑bike language, applies civil fines to improve trail safety

The Clinton City Council voted unanimously Dec. 9 to adopt state language governing electric‑assisted bicycles and related conveyances and to apply local civil penalties designed to make enforcement easier for police.

Council members discussed whether to wait for pending state action but ultimately decided to align the city’s code with Utah Code 41‑6a‑1115.5 and the definitions in 41‑6a‑102 while enforcing violations through the city’s administrative fee schedule rather than criminal prosecution. The mayor said putting enforceable language in local code would allow civil enforcement and provide specific guidance to officers.

Residents supporting regulation urged clarity and stronger enforcement. “A lot of the ebikes and e scooters that are sold to the public have capacities that exceed what is recognized by the state,” said David Hoffman, who said he and his wife have logged more than 1,600 miles on local trails and recommended using state definitions to exclude higher‑powered vehicles from trails. James Moffett, another longtime trail user, described seeing modified conveyances reach unsafe speeds and said following state wattage limits would address many problems.

City staff and the council weighed enforcement options. The city manager and staff recommended adopting state definitions while relying on the city’s civil enforcement authority so officers could issue administrative citations instead of pursuing criminal charges. Chief Stoker (referenced in discussion) and staff said civil citations would ease enforcement and avoid criminalizing youthful or first‑time offenders.

Council members debated penalty amounts and signage. The mayor noted Chief Stoker suggested a graduated administrative penalty schedule (first instance $125, second $250, third $500) to encourage compliance without immediate impoundment. Some council members urged caution about installing trail signage and pavement markings until the state’s final action was known; others said local code provides a needed enforcement tool now.

A council member moved to adopt the state code language and the city’s administrative fee schedule for civil enforcement; the motion passed on a unanimous roll‑call vote. The ordinance text references Utah Code 41‑6a‑1115.5 and definitions in 41‑6a‑102 and applies the municipal code enforcement fee schedule to e‑bike citations.

The council and staff said the action is intended to give police a clearer civil enforcement path and a basis for education and compliance efforts while the state continues work on related legislation. The ordinance does not create a separate local criminal penalty for operating high‑powered conveyances on trails.

What’s next: city staff will publish the adopted language and begin education and enforcement under the administrative code; the council said it will revisit wording or enforcement practices if the state issues new or conflicting guidance.