As the popularity of transportation via e-bike and electronic scooters is rising, so too are the accidents, injuries, and fatalities involving these e-alternatives. To the dismay of Cottonwood Heights Police Chief Robby Russo, it has become rather apparent to him that the state legislature will not be working to regulate electronic scooters and e-bikes (noting that there are currently more regulations on bikes than e-vehicles). Those regulations are being left to individual municipalities and cities. 

“It would be wise for the city to have some sort of standard in place as the adoption rates go up,” said Councilmember Matthew Holton. “I would be in favor of going down the road of finding the most measured approach before we have to start taking them away.” 

Bringing back this topic for the first council meeting of 2025, Russo shared some potential regulation items regarding e-bikes and electronic scooters within the city so he could begin to draft an ordinance. He mentioned that there are some cities out there already regulating these transportation e-vehicles. He looked to Las Vegas’s regulations as a model and Holladay’s draft revisions as well. 

“I see riders without helmet and not obeying stop signals,” said Councilmember Suzanne Hyland. “That’s what I’m most concerned about.” 

Russo mentioned he would like to include language within a city ordinance to prohibit operating these e-vehicles on sidewalks unless absolute necessary in such circumstances like crossings. He would also like to require audible signaling before passing as well. 

Hyland questioned the safety of operating e-bikes and e-scooters on sidewalks versus roadways. 

“There are municipalities that say you can only ride on sidewalks, and I think that’s a really bad idea.” Russo said. 

Since the reported speed of these category of vehicles is technically not supposed to go over 29 mph, Russo would like to see them operated on public roadways of 25 mph.

“That keeps them off the major (road) arteries,” said Russo assuring enforcement. 

“Should there be a standard for an age limit?” asked Russo suggesting a requirement of 16 years of age. 

“I am a little uncomfortable making it 16,” said Hyland. “If I had the opportunity for my sons to ride a scooter or e-bike to their soccer practice between ages 12 and 16 it would have made my life so much easier.”

After some discussion with the council weighing out options between specific age limits, Russo concluded that he would work on drafting some language regarding age and they would come back to deliberate on what seemed most appropriate for their community. 

“We need to decide what level of speed, or aggressiveness, or power, gets to a level where it is a ‘hey you need to be 16 and have a license,’” said Holton. “I don’t know that answer.” 

Russo then asked if they should require single-ridership or if they would allow for passengers on e-bike and electric scooter transportation. 

“I’ve seen kids stacked three high,” laughed Councilmember Shawn Newell. 

“What about attachments for children?” asked Hyland. “Maybe we think about allowing passengers if over 18 (years old).” 

Russo then asked the council how lenient or strict they wanted to be on prohibiting e-bikes and electric scooters on private and public property (without express written consent) such as church parking lots, shopping center parking lots, public parks and playgrounds. There was slight disagreement so Russo suggested he would draft a few different versions of some language and bring it back to see which felt right for the council. 

“Last question,” began Russo, “do you want them on your trails?” 

“No, we don’t want them there,” said Mayor Mike Weichers after mention of Park City and Salt Lake County already banning e-bikes on trails and Millcreek being in process of following suit. 

“The more communities that start this, the safer they will be,” said Hyland. 

Russo suggested some additional points to put into a drafted ordinance including: equipment must include a breaking system and front light(s) to turn on anytime the sun goes down; the weight (including the driver) cannot exceed 100 pounds; riders are subject to Utah traffic laws; drivers need to abide by driving and traffic laws; all DUI laws apply to e-vehicle operators; operators are prohibited from carrying packages or articles that prevents at least one hand on the handlebars; and some sort of proof of ownership (or receipt or card). The suggestion for enforcing these suggested regulations would be a violation of a traffic infraction not to exceed $250.

Russo will continue to research and work with City Attorney Shane Topham to draft some potential language for a city ordinance regulating e-bikes and electronic scooters and bring those drafts back to the city council at a later date for further review. λ