Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Trail Maintenance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears concerns about horses, motorized use and e-bikes damaging bike-specific trails
Summary
Members and volunteers told the county trails committee that horses, motorized users and high-powered e-bikes are increasingly damaging narrow, bermed mountain-bike trails; the group discussed signage, social-media messaging, targeted compaction tools and grant options to fund dedicated trail-equipment.
Members of the Emery County Trails Committee spent a substantial portion of the May 5 meeting discussing user conflicts and trail damage after high-use events.
"Mountain bike trails, horses can ruin because they just tear them up because it's so muddy," one committee member said, urging better outreach to equestrian users and stronger messaging about when trails should be avoided.
Speakers raised three recurring problems: horse use on bike-specific lines (which can shear berms and churn rock), unauthorized motorized traffic on singletrack and the effect of high-powered e-bikes. Committee members noted some Forest Service trail designations already restrict e-bikes to class 1 (pedal-assist) on specific segments and that throttle-equipped e-bikes can draw citations.
The conversation shifted to possible solutions. The group recommended stepped-up social-media messaging, temporary signage for conditions (for example, posting 'closed when wet'), and small printed signs or kiosk flyers that emphasize trail etiquette and which trail classes allow motorized use. "Social media would really help on those designated bike trails," the Chair said.
On maintenance, staff reported a recently purchased electric jackhammer that was carried in by horse for rock removal on Moore Canyon and described compaction tools and specialized wide-tire machines used to firm trail surfaces. Committee members discussed pursuing grants to buy or lease a trail-compaction vehicle (options mentioned included Honda 'Fat Cat' conversions or TW200 bikes with ATV tire conversions) and emphasized the need for trained operators and rapid availability when trail moisture conditions are right.
No formal policy changes were made at the meeting; staff were directed to explore signage and messaging options and to investigate grant opportunities for trail compaction equipment.
