An example of an e-dirt bike, which the Lethbridge Police Service says is illegal in city streets and trails. (Photo: Emmo.ca)

By David Opinko

E-dirt bikes are illegal on Lethbridge’s streets & parks: LPS

Nov 28, 2025 | 1:31 PM

While we may not see many bikes on Lethbridge’s roads and trails this weekend due to the snow, the Lethbridge Police Service and City of Lethbridge believe it is still important to remind the public about the legality of electric dirt bikes.

LPS Sgt. Ryan Darroch explains that there is an important distinction between e-dirt bikes and e-bikes.

E-bikes are allowed as they have a maximum power output of 500 watts and a top speed of 32 kilometres per hour, are equipped with pedals, and have a separate on/off switch for the motor.

This makes them safe for use on city streets and on designated trails.

E-dirt bikes, however, are significantly heavier and faster.

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“The pathway system throughout the city isn’t built for that speed and weight, as some of these bikes are 200-300 kilograms, with a rider on them at another 80 kilograms. That’s a lot of force moving down the pathway at, say, 80 or 90 kilometres,” Darroch says.

“You can easily hurt someone or take the life of someone.”

He adds, “Our last four traffic fatalities throughout the city have been on motorbikes, which are in the same realm as our electric dirt bikes.”

Darroch says that, in recent months, police and parks officials have noticed more e-dirt bikes being used on trails in the River Valley and on city streets.

Those users have reportedly been involved in cases including failing to stop and near-misses with other recreators.

Trails in the River Valley are managed through a partnership between the City of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Trail Alliance.

Andrew Sommerville, the City’s Parks Planning Manager, says e-dirt bikes have torn up pathways throughout the coulees.

“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,” Sommerville says.

According to Darroch, most of the issues LPS has seen with e-dirt bikes have come from teenagers who are either having some reckless fun or who are just trying to get around the community.

Many are well-intentioned.

The sergeant told the story of a local dad who spent $60,000 buying four e-dirt bikes for himself and his three kids, thinking that it could be a new family hobby.

Officers in the area informed the man that they were not allowed, and they left the man with a warning.

Darroch says many people in the city are unaware that e-dirt bikes are not allowed in city limits, which is why he wanted to put out this educational piece.

While he says education is LPS’s goal when it comes to these types of vehicles, they can also issue fines.

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.