E-dirt bikes illegal to use within Lethbridge city limits, police warn

Police in Lethbridge are reminding residents electric dirt bikes aren’t permitted to be used within the city. (Image courtesy: North Vancouver RCMP)

While we might not see many bikes on Lethbridge’s snowy sidewalks and trails this weekend, police are reminding residents electric dirt bikes aren’t permitted to be used within the city.

The city says in recent months, e-dirt bikes have been used on trails in the river valley, causing damage.

E-bikes are allowed, as they have a maximum power output of 500-watts and a top speed of 32 kilometres per hour, and are equipped with pedals making them safe for use on city streets and designated trails.

E-dirt bikes are significantly heavier and faster, with some able to get to speeds of 80 kilometres per hour.

As a result, police say using e-dirt bikes in the city can also cause accidents, leading to serious injuries and even death.

“Given that our last four traffic fatalities throughout the city have been on motorbikes, which are in the same realm as our electric dirt bikes we’re talking about today, my main goal is to press out the education piece that these bikes are not welcome anywhere on our roadways, pathways (and) sidewalks, as they are illegal,” said Sgt. Ryan Darroch with the Lethbridge Police Service downtown policing unit.

“They are off-highway vehicles and no different than a gas-powered dirt bike.”

A first offence carries a $500 fine, increasing to $1,000 for repeat violations.