UPDATED: Utah Bill Will No Longer Potentially (was Could) Eliminate Mountain Bike and Gravel Racing in the State

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Updated Bill No Longer Poses a Threat to MTB and Gravel Racing but Still Has Issues

UPDATE February 5, 2025 — Sen. Plumb has posted a substitute bill that removes the language regarding speed limits on trails and paths. The subsitute bill, S.B. 212 S1 (to see the substitute bill, look on the right side of the page on desktop) no longer has most of the problematic language of the original and would no longer pose a threat to mountain bike and gravel racing or mountain bike riding. The substitute bill however still defines a motorcycle in a way that could include an electric bicycle and could cause issues for insurance by changing the definition of motorcycles. Additionally, it still adds helmet requirements for e-bike riders under 21 for all types of e-bikes, not just class 3. And, it removes a provision that requires bicyclists to ride reasonably and prudently. It is not clear why this text was removed.

Removed text from current law in SB212S1:

(4)A person operating a bicycle or a vehicle or device propelled by human power on a sidewalk, path, or trail, or across a driveway, or across a roadway on a crosswalk may not operate at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions, giving regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.


Orginal Story:

SB0212 Would Slow Cyclists and Mountain Bikers on Trails and Pathways

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (February 4, 2025) — A new bill in the Utah State Legislature would slow bicyclists and mountain bikers to 20 mph on all trails and pathways. SB0212, sponsored by Sen. Jen Plumb, aims to modify definitions of electric motorcycles, e-scooters, and mini-motorcycles. Additionally, it would change the standard for all electric bicycles and require helmet use by those under 21. The current law only requires helmet use for class 3 e-bikers under 21. 

A 2025 Utah bill could eliminate mountain bike and gravel racing by restricting speeds to 20 mph. Here a cyclist rides on the California Trail as part of the 2015 Wild Horse. Photo by Dave Iltis

The new trails speed limit language is as follows:

(5)An individual operating a device described in Subsection (1) on a sidewalk, path, trail, across a driveway, or across a roadway in a crosswalk may not operate at a speed greater than the lesser of:
(a)the posted speed limit; or
(b)if a speed limit is not posted, 20 miles per hour.

The bill would have the effect of slowing bicyclists and mountain bikers on all trails and many pathways with no speed limits currently and all mountain bike trails. This would have the consequence of eliminating mountain bike racing and gravel racing in Utah since mountain bikers and gravel racers often exceed 20 mph on downhills. It would also create problems for any cyclist on a downhill pathway where speeds of 20 mph are easily reached by coasting casual recreational riders. 

The current law reads:

(4)A person operating a bicycle or a vehicle or device propelled by human power on a
sidewalk, path, or trail, or across a driveway, or across a roadway on a crosswalk may
not operate at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing
conditions, giving regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.

The motorcycle definition portion of the bill is needed to clarify Surron and Zero type electric motorcycles and, however the bill language is unclear. The way it is written, electric bicycles could be considered motorcycles. 

(46)”Motorcycle” means:
(a)a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider
and designed to travel with not more than three wheels in contact with the ground,
regardless of whether the vehicle is propelled by an electric motor or internal
combustion engine; or
(b)an autocycle.

The bill is set for a hearing in the Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 3:40 PM in
220 Senate Building at the Utah State Capitol.

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19 COMMENTS

  1. Not for nothing but MTB races are typically if not exclusively on closed courses, negating the law during the period of the race. Amateur Gravel (and Road) are often open roads, but typically in the context of the race…. especially when there are controlled intersections …..rules of the road laws are suspended, while certain safety and road-sharing rules are maintained such as the double yellow line rule.

  2. another bill that has no way to be enforced. Let people decide what is best for them. next is limiting speed while skiing where does it stop.

    I hope it gets votes down.

  3. This is Dumb. You can tell the idiot writing this bill has never ridden a bike. Take away freedoms you communist wanna be.

  4. Our great Utah legislative reps yet again doing the ground breaking, life altering, societally beneficial work they were elected to do.

  5. they are targeting ebikes, not realizing that regular cyclists commonly exceed 20 mph. I know I do when I’m cycling out on Utah pathways, like the Jordan river trail or Murdock canal. I’m not even sure what I’d do. it’s not like I have a speedometer on my basic road bike. This is just silly.

  6. It’s a Karen Politician vs Hyperbolic Journalist.

    This law wouldn’t apply to private property trails (i.e. Deer Valley, Park City, Canyons, etc). How many downhill MTB races are held on public property? I can’t think of any.

    Gravel roads typically have posted speed limits, and if they don’t the default limit is 55 mph (the author would know this if he bothered to spend a few minutes to research the current law)

    If there’s no posted speed limit, then the following would apply:
    “(2) Subject to Subsections (1) and (4) and Sections 41-6a-602 and 41-6a-603, the following
    speeds are lawful:
    (a) 20 miles per hour in a reduced speed school zone as defined in Section 41-6a-303;
    (b) 25 miles per hour in any urban district; and
    (c) 55 miles per hour in other locations.”

    I’m not sure which is worse – the new bill or the reporting on it.

  7. All bikers should Follow posted speeds limits. Legislators should stay out of regulating off-road biking. Only hikers and walkers are complaining about this.

  8. >>How many downhill MTB races are held on public property? I can’t think of any.

    Nearly every High School cross country range is on public trails, and nearly every race has speeds above 20mph. A 20mph limit means most road bikes pedalled by reasonably fit riders would no longer be welcome on bike paths. This is an absurdly uninformed law.

  9. Is there no real bills that need to be looked at? oh no, let’s take anything and everything away from people that we can to show our power. They wonder why kids now days get in trouble, its because everything fun and enjoyable/exciting gets taken away get a grip it’s not all about how much revenue you jackass politicians can pull in by giving people tickets for ass nine laws that shouldn’t even be considered quit wasting time money and energy on simple things try focusing on real life issues and take your own dam inventory

  10. Wow, every day I’m here i feel more and more like I’m still in Commiefornia. What happened to Utah and it’s outdoor loving and inviting outdoors welcoming signs? This sounds like a typical take away your freedoms bill, written straight from CA.I left CA to enjoy the freedoms and outdoor lifestyle. After seeing St George explode and develope, I’m afraid Utah’s becoming CA. Especially after driving through SLC last year. Please people, don’t vote for a Democrat, anywhere in Utah. They’re all about control and power over us the people. Don’t believe me. Go try buying a firearm in CA vs here. 90% of firearms you can legally buy here aren’t even allowed in CA. If you live in Los Angeles good luck getting your CCW permit. Move 10 minutes away to another county and you can easily get your permit, which has to be recognized in LA County. Don’t let this happen to the outdoor lifestyle here. Next thing is the environment groups will be here closing every offroad trail for a study that seems to never end and people give up fighting. Save Utah and vote for smart people that aren’t paid for by special interest groups. Keep Utah a freedom loving state, not a tyrannical Gov’t invading everything we do.

  11. Utah Highschool MTB races are commonly held on public land using trails built and maintained by the community.

    My objections are to any solution that is looking for a problem. If the problem doesn’t pass common sense, stop trying to solve it.

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