Commission reaches longboard compromise

PROVO — The short story of Utah County's longboarding ban is that it is almost over.

Five days after boarding was officially banished from Utah County's popular paved trails, Utah County commissioners made a compromise that will welcome the sport back — with restrictions.

"I'm very interested in not limiting the trail activity, but there are safety issues that override the freedoms that I so much enjoy," Commissioner Larry Ellertson said after the commission voted to amend the county's original trail use ordinance that forbade skateboarding and longboarding outright. "Freedoms bring with them some responsibilities. We are attempting to do this in a way that allows people the freedom to do what they want to do in a way that doesn't inflict injury or unsafe conditions on anyone else."

With a 2-0 vote Tuesday, Ellertson and Commissioner Steve White voted to place speed restrictions on Utah County trails and require users of "self-propelled mechanisms" to wear helmets. Longboarders and skateboarders will be allowed to use the trail, but they must stand on their skateboard deck when riding the trail — luge or "skeleton" positions where the rider is lying on their back or stomach will be banned.

Other amendments to the ordinance require pedestrians to stay in pedestrian lanes. Penalties that apply to bikers and skaters who don't follow the ordinance will also apply to pedestrians. One offense of the ordinance can lead to a $750 fine, but four or more repeat offenses can lead to charges of a class C misdemeanor.

Pedestrians who walk their dogs on Utah County trails must also restrict their animals to a leash that is no more than 6 feet long to prevent their animals from tripping people, according to the ordinance.

"We can still tweak this (ordinance) later, but this would give the county the risk protection it needs," White said.

Several walking areas will be added to the trail to help alleviate the risk of accidents in areas where the trail is particularly scenic or narrow. The walking areas will most likely be striped with cautionary lines or have signs that instruct those riding bicycles and longboards to get off and walk.

"When pedestrians get to Bridal Veil Falls, they forget what they are doing," White said. "Everywhere there is a vista area, we need a walking zone. ... They just need to comply. We're only talking 50 or 75 yards at the most. It's not much."

It's not clear how the walking areas will apply to people wearing skates, but Ellertson said he expects that in-line skaters would at least drastically reduce their speed and try to comply.