Police in Fredericton say they’re seeing a spike in complaints about electric dirt bikes being driven on city streets, sidewalks, in parks and on walking trails. The Fredericton Police Force issued a statement Tuesday, reminding residents that electric dirt bikes aren’t considered bicycles in New Brunswick. Police say they are classified as motor vehicles intended primarily for off-road use, so it’s illegal to operate them in the following locations: “There’s a safety concern for the people using our trail systems, our roadways, our sidewalks, as well as the people operating these dirt bikes who, most often, are young people,” David Cooper, a patrol response division investigator with the Fredericton Police Force, told CTV News. Police note many electric dirt bikes can exceed speeds of 70 km/h, which can put pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and trail users at risk. “Electric dirt bikes may only be operated where permitted by law, such as on private property with the owner’s permission or on designated off-road trails,” said the police force. “If you wouldn’t ride a gas-powered motorcycle there, you shouldn’t ride an electric dirt bike there either.” Anyone caught riding an electric dirt bike in a prohibited area could face a fine of $172.50 and have their bike seized and impounded at their expense. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
