Unregulated electric motorbikes threaten safety and nature

Unregulated electric dirt bikes are colliding with community safety and carving up Lethbridge’s River Valley.

In recent months, police have noticed more electric dirt bikes (e-dirt bikes) being used on trails in the River Valley and on city streets. Unlike regular electric bicycles (e-bikes), e-dirt bikes are built for speed and power, capable of reaching speeds of 100 km/h. When they appear suddenly on paths designed for walking, cycling and family recreation, other users are often caught off guard. 

“This has become a significant safety issue,” says Sergeant Ryan Darroch with the Downtown Policing Unit. “We’ve seen several close calls and, in some cases, collisions. And this isn’t only on multi-use trails. Police respond to a lot of dangerous situations involving unregulated e-dirt bikes on city streets.”

Under Canadian law, an e-bike is a vehicle that, among other things:

• is equipped with pedals
• can be propelled by muscular power
• has a maximum power output of 500 W and a top speed of 32 km/h
• has a separate on/off switch for the motor or a system preventing motor engagement until the bike reaches 3 kilometres per hour

The Alberta government website has a reference guide for small vehicles.

The River Valley is a cherished space for residents to enjoy nature, exercise and connect with the outdoors. A partnership with the City of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Trail Alliance has seen volunteers caring for local paths, but high-powered e-dirt bikes are undoing their work.

“A lot of volunteers have put in a lot of time and effort into cleaning, improving and maintaining our trails,” says Andrew Sommerville, Parks Planning Manager for the City of Lethbridge. “E-dirt bikes’ weight, acceleration, torque and aggressive treads carve ruts, displace soil and speed up erosion. Combined with their speed, the damage demands costly, intensive maintenance to restore trails. We want to preserve the River Valley as a refuge for safe recreation.”

Police note that many riders buy high-powered e-dirt bikes without realizing they aren’t allowed in the city. With the Christmas shopping season in full swing, Sergeant Darroch says he wants to help residents avoid playing the role of an inadvertent Grinch.

“We want the community to know what’s allowed and what isn’t,” he explains. “Riding an e-dirt bike on private land is fine. But too many people have spent thousands of dollars on equipment, unaware that it is illegal on city roads and trails. By sharing this information, we hope to prevent that from happening.”

While education is the primary goal, police are also focusing on enforcement. Offenders who do not comply can be charged, as the e-dirt bikes are treated as off-highway vehicles without insurance and registration. A first offence carries a $500 fine, increasing to $1,000 or $1,500 for repeat violations within 12 months. Members of the public may report complaints by contacting the LPS non‑emergency line at 403‑328‑4444.

Before you buy and ride, make sure it’s legal! Knowing the difference between legal e-bikes and unregulated e-dirt bikes helps riders stay safe, protects others and preserves our natural spaces.

For Public Inquiries:
Call or chat with 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.