Park City calls for community input on e-bike policies amid safety discussions

Julien Hochgesang via Unsplash Photo: Julien Hochgesang via Unsplash

PARK CITY, Utah — As the popularity of electric bikes (e-bikes) continues to rise, Park City has initiated a survey targeting both Park City and Snyderville Basin residents. The survey aims to gather insights and opinions on e-bike usage on local trails and pathways.

“The Basin and the city’s networks, whether pathways or trails, are interconnected. Most people have no idea if they’re in the city or the Basin. The thing is, their e-bike policies are different than ours. And one of the main intents of this survey is to actually, if we can, make our policies uniform,” said Heinrich Deters, Park City Municipal Corporation’s property, real estate, trails, and open space manager.

This survey is part of a broader effort to address the evolving landscape of e-bike usage within the community. Deters added, “Last year, the discussion really sort of focused on pathways. Now, there’s the question of mountain biking and whether people want e-bikes on trails. So, in the survey, we’ll try to capture both safety issues.”

Park City’s goal to increase safety and responsible e-bike use is being pushed through various educational and public awareness initiatives. The Park City Police Department (PCPD) is actively working to educate the community, particularly young riders and their parents, about the importance of safe e-bike practices.

“As e-bikes become more of a safety hazard for operators who are not used to them or don’t have the necessary safety equipment, we really want to get in the minds of the parents,” explained Lt. Jay Randall. He underlined the significance of engaging with children about the potential dangers associated with e-bike use and the importance of adhering to safety laws and regulations.

The PCPD has also developed educational videos aiming to inform school-aged children about e-bike laws, classifications, age requirements, and safe operation practices. “We’ve tried to get ahead of it as a police department,” Lt. Randall stated, emphasizing the intention behind distributing these resources through schools and the department’s social media channels.

Park City is also considering infrastructure adaptations to better accommodate the increasing number of e-bike users. This includes updating the city’s active transportation plan and exploring the possibility of designated areas for different types of trail users. Deters said, “A couple of years ago to now, we did a Rail Trail master plan because that’s where we’ve gotten a fair amount of our complaints. In that master plan, there were some recommendations for separate uses. So, you would have an area for hikers and dog walkers and then an area that’s possibly for bikes. Again, it wasn’t a regulation but a suggestion. The council didn’t adopt that aspect immediately, but they have asked me to come back and look at that program again this coming year.”

The urgency of these initiatives is underscored by recent data from the New York Times, which recently published an article on New York’s deadliest year for cyclists since 1999. The city’s Department of Transportation reported a concerning increase in e-bike fatalities, with 23 out of 30 cyclist deaths involving e-bike riders.

E-bikes have made some headway on the political front. HB 85, a recently passed bill on electric bike amendments, clarifies the definition of e-bikes by distinguishing them from misleadingly marketed e-motorcycles. This bill aims to ensure that manufacturers and sellers in Utah inform buyers about the distinction, which Deters sees as a positive step forward.

Be on the lookout for a postcard in the mail with your household’s unique QR code for the survey. The survey will then be open to the general public on March 20.