Teen on illegal e-motorcycle flees North Vancouver police in body-camera chase
RCMP seeking 14-18-year-old who accelerated through stop sign on Aug. 28; part of rising pattern of youth on unregistered electric bikes baiting police.
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A BC Highway Patrol officer attempted to stop a teen on an electric motorcycle along Grand Boulevard in North Vancouver on Aug. 28 around 6:11 p.m., but the rider accelerated through a stop sign and fled, according to body-camera footage released this week.
The teen, described as 14 to 18 years old with a slim build, clean-shaven face and receding chin, was wearing a white bicycle helmet with visor, black hoodie, black cuffed jeans and black Adidas sneakers. The officer broke off the chase immediately after the teen sped around a stopped car. Police said the teen had a "low level of skill" and nearly collided with another vehicle before escaping.
E-dirt bikes are not street legal in British Columbia. The incident is part of what police describe as a "rash of recent incidents" involving young riders on illegal electric motorcycles and e-scooters. "A lot of people are buying electric motorcycles that have no pedals, no signal lights, and no business on public roads," said Sgt. Michael McLaughlin of BC Highway Patrol. "We're seeing an increasing number of young riders who attempt to bait police into a pursuit. This is stupid."
Emergencies at BC Children's Hospital related to e-bikes and e-scooters have more than doubled in the past year, with a recent report showing almost 80 per cent of e-bike and e-scooter injuries across Canada occurring in children under 16. Last month, an 18-year-old was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after crashing an e-dirt bike in West Vancouver.
E-scooters are not legal for riders under 16, with a maximum speed of 25 kilometres per hour and 500 watts of power. In June, North Vancouver Mounties ticketed a 12-year-old $109 for riding an e-scooter underage, and also fined the child's parents. Days later, a North Vancouver father was fined $109 after his 12-year-old son was spotted riding an e-scooter in heavy traffic.
Police are asking anyone with information about the teen to contact BC Highway Patrol at 604-892-6100.
Why have e-bike and e-scooter emergency visits to BC Children's Hospital more than doubled in the past year, and what are parents and schools doing to address it?
What enforcement strategy is BC Highway Patrol using beyond ticketing to deter youth from riding illegal electric bikes?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
At a glance
What does the teen look like?
The teen is described as 14 to 18 years old with a slim build, clean-shaven face, and receding chin. The rider was wearing a white bicycle helmet with visor, black hoodie, black cuffed jeans, and black Adidas sneakers.
Why are e-dirt bikes illegal in British Columbia?
E-dirt bikes are not street legal in British Columbia because they lack required safety features such as pedals, signal lights, and proper registration for public road use.
What health impact are police seeing from e-bikes and e-scooters?
Emergencies at BC Children's Hospital related to e-bikes and e-scooters have more than doubled in the past year, with almost 80 per cent of e-bike and e-scooter injuries across Canada occurring in children under 16.
