Electric dirt bike on city streets is catching eye of Kingston Police

All off-road vehicles are prohibited from operating on municipal streets, sidewalks, community parks, trails.

E-scooters are not the only ones operating illegally in Kingston.

Kingston Police have issued a news release after receiving reports of electric dirt bikes being driven across the city, especially among young people.

They say all off-road vehicles, including electric dirt bikes, are prohibited from operating on municipal streets, sidewalks, community parks, trails, and pathways within the City of Kingston. They add these vehicles may only be operated on privately owned or occupied property where permission has been granted.

Police say they are seeing an increasing number of electric dirt bikes in the area. Many are being sold as “unrestricted” with speeds reaching upwards of 80km/h.

There is also a large number of power-assisted bicycles, or e-bikes, being operated in Kingston. They say riders must be at least 16-years of age or older, wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet, and follow the same rules of the road as other cyclists. 

Kingston Police say their Traffic Safety Unit will be increasing education and enforcement in the coming weeks, especially during the first week of school. They say this is in an effort to keep road users and pedestrians safe from all forms of motor vehicles.

Story by Ken Hashizume