Last Updated On 12 August 2025, 12:18 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

Fueled by green energy trends and improvements in battery technology, electric dirt bikes surged in popularity over the past couple of years. Combining the thrill of classic dirt bikes with the efficiency of electric power, the product has quickly found its user base both in Vancouver and around the world. But with more and more people buying e-dirt bikes, a new challenge has recently emerged: ensuring that e-dirt bike owners stay off the main roads. The reason is simple: e-dirt bikes, just like regular dirt bikes, are not permitted to use on public roads.

In a recent statement released by the North Vancouver RCMP, the police have reported a sharp rise in the number of e-dirt bikes on local roads in the past few months, along with a growing number of complaints about erratic and irresponsible riders. With these bikes proving to be particularly popular with the young audience, concerns about public safety are on the rise.

It’s their “sexy” design and powerful acceleration that make these bikes especially appealing to younger demographics. These people crave freedom and value the luxury of just “getting up and going” above everything else, and the e-dirt bikes provide just that.

Similar to ordering food online, opening Tinder for that quick-swipe dopamine hit, or having the ability to play at an online casino website in a matter of seconds, it’s clear that one of the main appeals of e-dirt bikes for youngsters is excitement on demand. Coupled with their cool design, powerful acceleration, and an attractive price tag of around CAD $4,599–$5,999, they’re a much cheaper alternative than owning a car–and a very good-looking one. Which teenager wouldn’t want to flex with their cool new bike on Instagram?

“In most cases, it’s unsuspecting parents who purchase these bikes for their kids, believing they are legal for road use—but in fact, they are illegal,” said Corporal Mansoor Sahak, Media Relations Officer for the North Vancouver RCMP, in a recent statement addressing the issue. According to his findings, parents often buy the vehicles for their children thinking they are harmless e-bikes, only to later find out e-dirt bikes actually don’t qualify for street use and can go much faster than they initially thought.

While the maximum speed of e-bikes cannot exceed 32 km/h to be permitted for street use, the maximum speed of some e-dirt bikes reaches as far as 110 km/h. Additionally, e-dirt bikes usually do not have pedals–another important criterion for street use. Lastly, e-dirt bikes can produce up to 22,000 watts of power, far exceeding the permitted limit of 500 watts. “It’s illegal. You can’t ride them, period,” concludes Sahak.

The situation is even more alarming due to the fact that no motorcycle license is required to ride an e-dirt bike, giving youngsters the possibility to enjoy 70 km/h speeds without needing to pass a test. What’s more, the bikes’ silent motors make them hard to detect (not to mention the public safety concern related to quiet motors), making potential escapes relatively easy, especially in densely populated areas. Coupled with the fact that riders often ignore the public road restrictions, North Vancouver RCMP are on the lookout to find new ways to address the issue.

The representatives emphasize that any violations to these rules may result in hefty fines, including no insurance ($598), no licence ($276 and three demerit points), driving without due care and attention ($368 and six demerit points), driving without consideration ($196 and six demerit points), and riding without a required helmet ($138 and two demerit points). Riders can also be subject to the Criminal Code offences, including flight from a peace officer, impaired operation of a motor vehicle, and subject to a civil forfeiture.

To ensure protection of the local community and keep e-dirt bike riders off the roads, the North Vancouver RCMP will keep up with the increased traffic enforcement to catch and penalize any offenders, and will launch more targeted initiatives in the future to keep the public safe.

That being said, the police remind people that while the use of e-dirt bikes is illegal on public roads, the use of e-dirt bikes is permitted on private property–either your own or with the property owner’s consent. If you register your bike with ICBC and have your own ORV (off-road vehicle) number plate, you can also use various off-road vehicle trails located all around Canada (e.g., Nickson Lake trails, Chipmunk Creek ORL trails). Additionally, several motocross or off-road parks in BC also allow e-dirt bikes.

But for riders who find themselves heavily restricted due to the current laws (and heavily tempted to break them), a strong recommendation to buy a proper e-bike (registered and with its own license plate) is given instead. This ensures you stay legal, avoid police trouble, and protect yourself and others.

Sidak Singh Dhanoa

I am a born Canadian citizen and growing daily with my content on INC – Immigration News Canada, developing into an empathetic person and knowing the other side of the story. Born in Toronto, exploring Canada from coast to coast, embracing the nomadic lifestyle.