Salt Lake City is considering an amendment to its e-bike code that would regulate the use of electric bikes, electric motorcycles, and other electric mobility devices on trails and pathways managed by the Department of Public Lands. The proposal, which was first detailed in October 2026, seeks to establish consistent rules to protect public safety on shared-use trails and reduce conflicts among users.
Proposed Regulatory Changes
The proposed ordinance amendment targets both natural-surface trails and paved shared-use pathways under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Lands. According to an analysis by Cycling West, the amendment aims to protect natural surface trail resources by granting the Public Lands Director the authority to close specific trails to some or all users if conditions require it to protect public safety or natural resources.
As Electric Bike Explorer reported on October 14, 2026, the City Council scheduled a briefing for October 13, 2026, to discuss the changes. The city's proposed plan includes a tentative final action date of November 17, following a public hearing scheduled for November 10, 2026.
Criticism of Ordinance Draft
The current draft of the ordinance has faced criticism for its complexity and potential for unintended consequences. Cycling West stated on November 2, 2026, that while the intent to regulate electric motorcycles is positive, the execution of the ordinance is poor and requires a complete rewrite before it can be effectively considered by the Council.
Critics argue the ordinance is duplicative and potentially unenforceable. Specifically, the draft includes a designated maximum speed of 15 miles per hour for any bicycle or electric-assisted bicycle on hard-surfaced trails managed by the Department of Public Lands, such as the Jordan River Parkway, the 9-Line, and the Folsom Trail, unless otherwise posted. However, critics suggest this is a blanket solution that fails to account for the specific needs of different pathways.
Concerns Over Adaptive Mobility
Concerns have been raised regarding the ambiguity of the language used to define permitted devices. Cycling West noted that the rapid evolution of electric personal mobility—including electric scooters, e-mopeds, electric wheelchairs, and adaptive 4-wheel mountain bikes—makes a static list of permitted devices difficult to maintain.
There is specific concern that the current wording could lead to the accidental banning of adaptive electric mountain bikes used by persons with disabilities if the Department of Public Lands does not specifically include them. The advocacy group suggested that the ordinance should instead focus on prohibiting high-powered electric devices, as defined by Utah Code, while allowing for more flexibility for other electric devices.
Jurisdictional Distinctions
The proposed changes to Title 21A of the city code would create a distinction between paved shared-use paths and natural-surface trails. This distinction is significant because an electric bike permitted on a paved path may not be allowed on a natural-surface trail. The final restrictions and enforcement details will depend on the final language of the ordinance and subsequent trail-specific decisions made by the department.
This proposal is separate from similar efforts in Salt Lake County. Electric Bike Explorer noted on October 14, 2026, that Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County are separate governments, and residents should not assume that county-level restrictions automatically apply to city-managed pathways.
Next Steps for Council
The ordinance has faced delays in reaching the Council. While it was scheduled to be presented in work sessions, it has been bumped for other agenda items. It remains unclear exactly when the Council will hold a public hearing and vote on the measure, though the proposed timeline includes a public hearing on November 10, 2026.
