Utah County eases rules on trail use

PROVO — Utah County's trail ordinance has come nearly full-circle since longboarders were initially banned and helmets required almost two months ago.

With a 2-0 vote on Tuesday, Utah County commissioners voted to loosen the trail ordinance to make the scenic paths more "available" and less restrictive, said Commissioner Larry Ellertson. The new ordinance makes helmets optional. Longboards and skateboards are permitted — and there aren't any specific speed limits or restricted hours to keep people off the trails.

Other than a few minor limitations and leash requirements for pets, the ordinance is basically back to where it started, and that's how commissioners want it.

"This ordinance was originally undertaken by the commission in an effort to protect people from one another," Ellertson said Tuesday. "As we looked at it, we had different ideas of what should and shouldn't be included in the ordinance. I know either way I may lose some friends over this, but hopefully we'll move on."

Commissioners delayed voting on the ordinance for two weeks primarily because they were at odds over whether to require trail users to wear helmets, Commissioner Gary Anderson said. Commissioner Steve White, who had favored a helmet requirement, was not at Tuesday's meeting.

A helmet requirement was added to the ordinance in mid-August in an attempt to reach a compromise that would allow longboarders to use the trails. The commission gave away free helmets for a while in support of the new ordinance, but some community members balked at the rule and demanded the requirement be dropped at an ensuing public meeting.

Dr. Joseph Miner, director of the Utah County Health Department, says the rule would have been helpful in making sure people protect themselves, but that's not always possible. According to Miner, not wearing a helmet is the leading cause of death in non-motor-vehicle accidents for teenagers and young adults.

"It's so easy to have prevented (head injuries) if you have a helmet on," Miner said. "Your chances of falling and hitting your head may be one in 1,000, but if you're that one out of 1,000, it's a whole lifetime of loss."

During the debate, commissioners considered requiring helmets for children under 10 years old but ultimately decided against the idea.

"We agonized over that," Anderson said. "We all believe, and everyone believes, that everyone should use helmets. It's a no-brainer, but should it be required? ... We want people to wear helmets, we do. And if they don't, they're foolish."

The ordinance "strongly encourages" trail users to wear helmets. It also says users of "wheeled devices propelled by human power" should not exceed a "reasonable and prudent" speed.