Bountiful City Council Meeting: E-bikes and Broadway
In a work session at City Hall on Tuesday night, Bountiful Police Chief Edward Biehler briefed the City Council on the growing confusion and frustration surrounding E-bikes and E-motorcycles (electric bikes and motorcycles) in Bountiful.
Chief Biehler took a few minutes to educate the council on E-vehicles in general and the state and city codes that are relevant to them. Then he presented some of the problems the Bountiful Police are having with the E-vehicles:
- With the way city codes are written and the various types of E-bikes and E-motorcycles available, it can be hard to determine which are legal to use on streets, trails, and in parks.
- E-vehicles are causing damage to city property.
- Individuals on E-vehicles are choosing to evade police instead of stopping and complying. Often these individuals are minors.
- From March 22-Aug. 31 of 2025, there were 45 incidents involving E-vehicles, including 39 traffic stops and 3 hit-and-run incidents.
Chief Biehler articulated that their focus has been on educating individuals about the rules and regulations of E-vehicles, but that it hasn’t had much of an effect. He stated he thinks it might be time for more aggressive policing.
Mayor Harris then opened the floor for discussion with the council.
- Councilwoman Kate Bradshaw – Discussed potential legislation for making a registration system for E-vehicles that classifies them at their manufacture point, making it easier to identify individual vehicles. Also proposed making a city ordinance stating that E-motorcycles would not be allowed in places like city trails and parks. Pointed out this is something Bountiful could do right away.
- Councilwoman Beth Child – Considered the state of rules posted in city parks. Parks director Brock Hill stated that there are signs, but they are old. It was pointed out that for rules about E-vehicles to be added to city signage the city code would need to be updated.
- Councilwoman Cecilee Price-Huish – Knows of another city that requires patrons to walk their bikes through parks. Asked if that is something that could be instituted in Bountiful. She also asked Chief Biehler what other cities were doing that he knew of. Biehler responded that another city he had talked with was being more active in impounding E-motorcycles. Price-Huish later stated she would primarily support education for E-vehicle riders, but that she would also support impounding E-vehicles if there would be no additional risk to officers and riders.
- Councilman Matt Murri – Supports the previous ideas. Wants to reach out to surrounding cities to make sure there is cohesion with city rules and ordinances.
- Councilman Richard Higginson – Is supportive of the E-vehicles in general. He thinks they are a good alternative to more cars on the road. Supports education over harsher police enforcement, including impounding.
While there were no formal actions taken, the conclusion of the discussion was that the council has the power to take action to regulate E-vehicle activities in Bountiful parks, and that while Bountiful Police have the ability to intensify enforcement, the preference would be on education before enforcement.
City Council Meeting
After a brief break, the actual city council session began.
Youth Council Update
There was no public comment, so a Youth Council representative presented two points: the completion of a graffiti cleanup service effort and a family-friendly Pumpkin Patch event at North Canyon Park on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Council Reports
Kate Bradshaw reported that the chiller at the Bountiful Ice Ribbon needs repair due to compressor issues. The city and the Recreation Department will share the cost, but if repairs fail, it could pose a significant challenge for the upcoming season.
Richard Higginson said the draft of the General Plan update continues to move through the Planning Commission, with two meetings remaining before completion.
Matt Murri thanked the city crews who ran the hazardous waste drop-off last week, noting strong participation from 944 residents.
Cecilee Price-Huish reminded residents that this Thursday marks the final Farmers Market of the season and expressed appreciation for the Parks and Police Departments.
Beth Child reported that Mayor Harris and City Manager Gary Hill met with representatives from JustServe. The next Bountiful City training session will focus on using the JustServe platform to connect volunteers with local projects.
Community Spotlight
The council recognized Max Voehl, a sixth grader at Legacy Prep who has been cast as the lead role of Auggie in the upcoming Broadway adaptation of Wonder. Max, who was born with a cleft lip and palate, shared that he spent a month in New York this summer workshopping the play and will return soon for rehearsals before the show opens in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
His mother, Jeanne, thanked the Bountiful community for its kindness and support, sharing that their family will “take a big part of Bountiful” with them to the East Coast.
City Business
The council approved a resolution declaring the state-mandated Station Area Plan impractical for Bountiful, following a staff recommendation.
Members also approved two purchases: new computers for city use, and a budgeted new truck for the Parks Department.
The meeting was then adjourned.
