Herriman bans low-profile 'pocket bikes'

HERRIMAN — At least six Utah local governments have specifically banned low-profile vehicles like the popular "pocket bikes" from use on public property.

The latest city to enact such a ban, Herriman, unanimously approved its ordinance last month. It cited the vehicles' "combination of potential speed and low visibility."

The ordinance isn't so much a new ban as it is a clarification that the council sees the low-profile vehicles as inconsistent with existing ordinances and laws regulating vehicles.

Herriman joins South Jordan, Layton, Centerville, Kaysville and Salt Lake County in trying to put a stop to pocket bike use on city streets and sidewalks. In Salt Lake County cities, the ordinances are mainly meant to supplement the county's ban so city councils can make their specific objections to their use known.

Many pocket bikes can travel as fast as 40 mph, and a rider's feet are only about 6 inches from the ground. Safety advocates worry the low profile means even an adult driving one would be hard for motorists to see.

But it is the bikes' small size that has left them unregulated by the state, which has jurisdiction only over vehicles whose engines are larger than 50 cubic centimeters. Because of that, police have had to wait for city councils to rule on the issue before deciding how to crack down.

Tooele is also considering an ordinance on the use of pocket bikes.

---

E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com