Serious e-bike injuries among Utah children up more than 250% as Draper enforces its trail ban

DRAPER — Statewide, 72 crashes involving e-bikes and e-scooters have been tracked in 2026, six of them fatal, and serious-injury crashes involving children 12 and under are up more than 250% over last year, according to state data that KUTV first reported 1.

Draper's rules sit on top of state law. The city's May notices state that motor-assisted scooters, Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes and e-motorcycles are not allowed on Draper's trails, paths, parks or other public property 2. The city's trail rules page states that only Class 1 eBikes are allowed on the trails in Corner Canyon 3.

The city's summary defines the classes this way 2. A Class 1 e-bike has pedal assist only and tops out at 20 mph. A Class 2 adds a throttle and also tops out at 20 mph. A Class 3 is pedal assist only, reaches 28 mph and must have a speedometer 2. A motor-assisted scooter is capped at 2,000 watts and 20 mph, and the city notes that one capable of more than 20 mph may be treated as an electric motorcycle 2.

Anything with a motor rated above 750 watts, or that can exceed 20 mph on the motor alone, is an e-motorcycle under the state definition 4. Draper requires its operators to be at least 16, to hold a driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement, to register the vehicle and carry insurance, and to wear a Department of Transportation-approved helmet if under 21 4. E-motorcycles are barred from all Draper sidewalks, paths, park property and trails, and may be ridden on city streets only if properly registered 4. The city says an owner who lets a minor operate one can be held liable for illegal operation and for any property damage or injury 4.

Utah's HB 381, which took effect May 6, sets the rules by age and device type, according to the Utah Highway Safety Office, as the Draper Herald reported 1. Under the rules Draper summarizes 2, children under 8 may not operate an e-bike or a motor-assisted scooter on public property with the motor engaged. Riders under 14 need a parent or guardian present to operate a Class 1 or Class 2 e-bike on streets. Riders under 16 may not operate a Class 3 e-bike on streets at all. Helmets are required for riders under 21 on e-bikes, scooters and high-powered devices, and police may confiscate a device from a minor who is violating the law 2. Beginning May 5, 2027, riders 8 to 15 will need parental or guardian supervision, or a Personal Electric Vehicle Safety Certificate, to operate on streets 2.

Draper Police Lt. Mike Elkins said in August, in comments Fox 13 reported, that the department had seen an increase in incidents, including two serious e-motorcycle crashes in a 30-day span 1. "We have seen an uptick," Elkins said. "As a matter of fact, probably in the last 30 days we've had two serious accidents, both involving e-motorcycles" 1.

Draper is stepping up enforcement, according to the Draper Herald, which reported that the city's Historic Preservation Commission produced the push at its Sept. 9 meeting, with more patrols and steeper fines for riders who break the rules, and that no dollar amount for the increased fines had been announced 5. The same report said committee members raised concerns about fast-moving electric dirt bikes damaging trails and endangering hikers, and singled out the Jungle Trail area in Corner Canyon 5. Draper maintains more than 150 miles of trails and more than 42 parks 5. Residents who see an e-motorcycle ridden illegally can call Draper police dispatch at 801-840-4000, or 911 if there is immediate danger 4.

Neither city notice states how many citations have been issued under the ban; both state that Draper Police will enforce it 24.

In 2025, Intermountain Health emergency rooms treated 536 e-bike and e-scooter injuries statewide, and 38% of e-bike trauma patients were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to the Utah Highway Safety Office 1. Dr. Katie Russell, a pediatric trauma surgeon at Primary Children's Hospital, told Fox 13 in August that roughly one in three traumas the hospital was seeing involved an e-bike or an e-scooter 1.

The Ledger withholds identifying detail about the minors injured in these crashes, including the child whose case KUTV reported at length.