If you're shopping for an e-bike this month, Draper and Salt Lake County have published e-bike rules for local trails.
The Utah Legislature passed HB 381, Draper posted its city limits in May, and the Salt Lake County Council passed an ordinance on September 1.
Start with the number on the frame
Draper City's May 11, 2026 summary of the new state law defines the categories this way:
- Class 1: pedal assist only, top assisted speed of 20 mph
- Class 2: throttle plus pedal, top assisted speed of 20 mph
- Class 3: pedal assist only, top assisted speed of 28 mph, and it must have a speedometer
- Motor-assisted scooter: up to 2,000 watts and 20 mph, sitting or standing. Above 20 mph, a scooter may be treated as an electric motorcycle.
- High-powered electric device: any non-motor-vehicle that goes faster than 20 mph on an electric motor, including a modified e-bike
The city's summary also lists "no modifications that increase speed" under its safety rules.
Draper's city trail rules
Draper's Rules and Trail Etiquette page puts it in one sentence: "Only Class 1 eBikes are allowed on the trails in Corner Canyon."
The May city summary applies that limit to more places than Corner Canyon. In its words: "In Draper City, motor-assisted scooters, Class 2 and 3 e-bikes, and e-motorcycles are not allowed on trails, paths, in parks, or on other public property."
The city's trails and trailheads guide marks the bike-specific descents as downhill only, closed to uphill traffic, hikers, dogs and horses. Some Corner Canyon spots that come up a lot this time of year:
- Rush Trail network. It's more than 4.5 miles in total, including sections named Fly By Night, The Trees and Limelight. The main trail drops 1,150 vertical feet from Peak View Trailhead at 14508 S Upper Corner Canyon Rd down to Highland Drive.
- Limelight. The city's guide says this section "is often open when other biking only trails are closed due to wet conditions." It suggests starting at Coyote Hollow Trailhead, 14212 S Coyote Hollow Ct, riding the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, turning west onto Limelight and coming back on Lower Corner Canyon Trail.
- Andy Ballard Arena at 1651 E Highland Dr is the lower parking option for Rush. The guide lists year-round restrooms at the Rush trailheads.
The upper canyon has its own limits. The Orson Smith gates have been closed at all times since July 1, 2020, and dogs are not allowed in the Corner Canyon watershed above the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
Across the county line, Salt Lake County's trail rules
Salt Lake County's rules sort bikes a little differently. On September 1, 2026, the County Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 26-821, which created a new chapter titled "E-Bikes" covering trails and pathways in unincorporated Salt Lake County. The Draper Herald reported that it took effect immediately, covers Butterfield and Yellow Fork canyons and Butterfield Trailhead Regional Park, and carries a $150 civil fine.
The county's parks rules page applies the class rules to unincorporated areas, including Butterfield, Rose and Yellow Fork canyons.
The county's parks rules page lists Class 1 and Class 2 as allowed on paved trails in unincorporated areas, and Class 1 as allowed on natural-surface trails there. It lists Class 3 as not allowed on either, and Class 2 as not allowed on natural-surface trails.
The county's parks page sets a 20 mph maximum on paved and natural-surface trails and in public parks, with exceptions for downhill trails designated mountain-bike-only and for pre-approved races.
The county may extend its rules further. Council Member Suzanne Harrison, who sponsored the ordinance, told KUTV that the next steps include expanding the rules to all county regional parks and starting talks with cities. As the Draper Herald quoted her from that interview:
"We also have park rules that are under the discretion of our Salt Lake County mayor, and the goal would be to have those park rules reflect the ordinance so that people kind of understand where they can have fun and how."
The class table on the county's parks rules page applies to unincorporated land. Dimple Dell Regional Park is a 630-acre county park in Sandy with more than 15 miles of trails. KSL reported in June that Sandy officials said no motorized vehicles or motorcycles are allowed on city trails, including Dimple Dell. KSL also reported that signs were going up, that the city was starting with education, and that citations were possible.
State law and young riders
HB 381 took effect May 6, 2026.
The city's summary says that owners may be liable when a minor riding their vehicle breaks the law, and that police can confiscate e-bikes for violations.
The law requires the Department of Public Safety to "design and administer a personal electric vehicle safety education and training program," and to "ensure that an individual may complete the program online." The department may charge a fee of $10 or less.
According to the Utah Highway Safety Office, the official state course will be ready in spring 2027.
This post is a general summary of published rules, not legal advice. The ordinance, the bill text and the city pages linked above have the details, so check them, or ask the right professional, if your situation isn't clear.
If being close to Coyote Hollow, Peak View or the Andy Ballard Arena lot is on your list for your next home, or you just want to talk through which streets connect to which trail networks, Nick Booth is happy to help. Let's Connect.
