West Shore RCMP handed a $368 ticket to a 13-year-old boy after he was caught doing wheelies and dangerous stunts on an electric dirt bike in a Langford shopping centre parking lot on July 7, 2026.
The incident happened around 2 p.m. at the Millstream Village Shopping Centre. A member of the public called police to report an e-dirt bike being driven dangerously, with witnesses describing the rider performing stunt moves.
Police arrived and ticketed the youth for driving without due care and attention under the BC Motor Vehicle Act. The bike was also impounded.
West Shore RCMP Cpl. Nathan Brown says the force has seen a sharp rise in complaints about e-mobility devices, with more than 34 calls since May 2026 involving e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-dirt bikes on public roads.
E-dirt bikes are not street-legal in BC. They do not have pedals and rely only on an electric motor, so they are classed as off-road vehicles. Unlike legal e-bikes, which are limited to 32 km/h and 500 watts of power, some e-dirt bikes can reach 110 km/h and output up to 22,000 watts.
“These are high-powered machines that riders can easily lose control of, putting themselves and others at serious risk of injury,” Cpl. Brown said. “It is important for parents and guardians to understand the rules and regulations surrounding the different types of e-mobility devices before purchasing one for their child.”
Under provincial law, e-scooter and standard e-bike riders must be at least 16 years old, and light e-bike riders must be 14 or older. Fines for e-dirt bike offences can go well beyond the $368 ticket. Operating an e-dirt bike on a public road can lead to charges for no insurance ($598), no driver’s licence ($276 and three demerit points), and no helmet ($138 and two demerit points). A seven-day vehicle impoundment is also possible. Police warn that young riders who get these tickets may face trouble getting a BC driver’s licence later on.
West Shore communities, including Colwood and Langford, have been expanding legal e-mobility options. The Evolve e-bike and e-scooter share program launched in Colwood in April 2026, with 60 devices at 15 stations across the city. The program is part of a provincial pilot that allows e-scooters in several West Shore municipalities.
RCMP say the reminder is simple: if an e-mobility device doesn’t have pedals and goes faster than legal e-bikes, it belongs on private property, not public streets or sidewalks.
