Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Calgary police said they charged two youth following an electric dirt bike chase in the southwest neighbourhood of Coach Hill.
Police responded to reports of three people dangerously operating electric dirt bikes and performing stunts shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a news release on Wednesday said.
The riders then fled from police when officers attempted to stop them.
Police said the three drivers continued to evade police and drive dangerously through residential neighbourhoods. Helicopter Air Watch for Community Safety (HAWCS) assisted in tracking the riders from above, the release said.
Police said two of the riders have been arrested. Both face charges of dangerous operation of a vehicle and flight from police.
At a press conference Wednesday, Insp. Robbie Patterson said police were unable to apprehend the third rider, and an investigation is underway.
Patterson said electric scooters and motorcycles operating at unsafe speeds are becoming more of a problem in Calgary and other cities across the country.
“A few years ago, this wasn’t an issue. Now we see them everywhere,” he said.
“They’re readily available for purchase, unregulated and easily modified, and this is a real challenge.”
WATCH | E-scooter injuries among kids are surging despite restrictions, doctor says:
E-scooter injuries among kids are surging despite restrictions, doctor says
An emergency doctor at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children says e-scooter and e-bike injuries among children are rising sharply, despite age restrictions in parts of Canada. Dr. Daniel Rosenfield says the devices are motor vehicles, not toys, and some crashes have resulted in life-threatening injuries.
Patterson said police responded to several reports involving electric motorcycles last week, and laid charges in one case of a 16-year-old travelling more than 70 kilometres per hour in a residential neighbourhood.
“We’re seeing an increasing number of people trying to flee from the police on these devices,” he said.
Electric motorcycles or dirt bikes differ from e-bikes in that they are not pedal-assisted and are capable of speeds faster than the maximum assisted speed of 32 kilometres per hour.
Patterson said they cannot legally be operated on public roads, sidewalks, pathways or parks, and can only be used on private land.
City bylaws allow e-bikes on roads and pathways, as long as riders are at least 12 years old. Approved shared e-scooters operated by licensed companies are also allowed on city pathways and streets, but not sidewalks.
Patterson said the provincial Traffic Safety Act is in the process of being revised to include parameters for e-mobility vehicles, and police are working with the Alberta government and prosecutors to clarify which laws they can currently apply.