E-bikes on Richmond roads face strict legal limits
Many devices marketed as e-bikes are actually motor vehicles. Riders under 16 caught on illegal machines face $368 tickets and impound fees.
Richmond RCMP is warning parents and riders that many electric two-wheelers sold as "e-bikes" don't meet B.C.'s legal definition—and operating them comes with serious consequences.
Under B.C. law, a device is classified as a motor vehicle if it exceeds 32 km/h, has a motor over 500W, or lacks functioning pedals. These machines cannot be legally ridden on any Richmond street, sidewalk, bike lane, multi-use path, or dyke trail. They're restricted to private property.
Just this week, a 15-year-old North Vancouver rider was caught speeding, doing wheelies, and standing on the bike's seat. The teen received a $368 ticket for stunting and had the e-bike impounded for seven days. Towing and impound fees cost roughly $400.
Parents and guardians who allow minors to operate illegal e-dirt bikes can face fines up to $2,000. If a device is classified as a motor vehicle and is involved in a collision, families may also face uninsured liability—meaning personal financial responsibility for injuries or damages.
Legal e-bikes have motors capped at 250W or 500W and stop providing assistance at 25 or 32 km/h respectively. Riders must be 14 or older for light e-bikes and 16 or older for standard models. No license, registration, or insurance is required.
Richmond's flat geography and extensive bike network make micromobility devices increasingly popular. The Road Safety Unit has seen a steady increase in calls involving young riders on high-powered devices at unsafe speeds, often without helmets.