Vernon RCMP urge parents not to allow kids to ride e-dirt bikes on roads

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“Unfortunately, there is more rules and regulations for youth and parents to go to Canadian Tire to buy their child a pellet gun than there is around buying an electric-assisted device,” Inspector Neil Kennedy of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP told Vernon City Council at the meeting Monday, July 20.

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“We have advanced, as far as mobility devices far too quickly, and our retail laws have not kept up. That is a fact. You are asked for identification and proof of guardianship when buying a pellet gun at Canadian Tire, yet a 16-year-old can go in with $3,000 and buy an electric dirt bike and there’s no questions asked.”

The Inspector also noted the municipality had no power to oversee the sales of these devices within the community, stating that would have to be handed down by the federal government. Police have also been trying to take a “proportionate” response with enforcement. 

“We’re dealing with a lot young people under the age of 16, some even as young as 10 or 12, so the last thing we are going to have our officers do is engage in enforcement that poses more risk to the individual riding these devices or to the public at large,” Kennedy stated.

“So we’re not attempting traffic stops with these individuals because it’s already proven to be fruitless, they just continue to ride away, and do so more recklessly. So our officers have been instructed that they must be very strategic in their enforcement efforts.”

The efforts include public education on what is and is not street legal through social media posts, media releases and presentations at local schools, as well as speaking to youth who have ridden to places but dismounted the e-dirt bike, such as at schools, the mall or a coffee shop.

Kennedy also said they could not seize the e-dirt bikes that were found at a place like a school or the mall, saying it would “essentially be stealing them,” and instead officers needed to wait until a traffic law was broken at which point a ticket could be issued or, possibly, the device could be taken away. He noted a few of these incidents have led to the rider being fined, and asked people to continue to report dangerous and illegal riding to the detachment.

The Inspector also urged parents to “not purchase these devices for their young children, or to know where they can and cannot be operated and to do so under supervision,” so as to reduce these cases.

Police also noted people needed to be at least 16 years old to ride e-scooters, and that these were only permitted within the city boundaries as Vernon was part of a provincial pilot program but the other municipalities were not.

Constable Chris Terleski of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP also urged parents to make sure they talk to youth who choose to ride e-scooters to ensure they are safe in traffic and wear their helmets.

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