Kelowna RCMP cracking down on dangerous e-dirt bike riders

As e-bike and e-dirt bikes grow in popularity, Kelowna RCMP said it is focusing on the rapid rise of dangerous riding.

E-dirt bikes, like the Surron and Talaris brands, have been popping up all over the city and police have seen a spike in dangerous riding, according to an RCMP media release.

The rules for e-dirt bikes are the same as they are for gas-powered dirt bikes, even though they are relatively new. Dirt bikes are only for off-road riding only, they are not allowed to be on the street.

RCMP said it has zero tolerance for high-risk behaviour.

Stunting can result in a seven-day impound, riding without a helmet is a $138 fine and two demerit points, riding without insurance is a $598 fine, driving without care is a $368 fine and six demerit points. Fleeing from police, dangerous operation and impaired driving are criminal offences.

RCMP said because the e-bikes and e-dirt bikes aren’t covered under any insurance policy is something happens it can be the subject of a lawsuit, and if the law is broken and an infraction issued, the rider can be declared a high-risk driver impacting insurance premiums on all the family’s vehicles.

“Offences relating to the Motor Vehicle Act may include high risk driving and penalty point premiums,” Const. Tyler Hug of the Kelowna RCMP Municipal Traffic Unit said in the release.

“These can result in increased insurance costs, additional fines, license suspensions and prohibitions upon attempting to obtain a driver’s license, and/or affecting youth operators before being eligible for a driver’s license.”

Kelowna RCMP said it’s going to continue targeting dangerous e-bike and e-dirt bike riders.