Calgary Police Warn of Rising Illegal Use of High Powered E Bikes After Coach Hill Chase

Calgary police are warning residents about the growing use of high powered electric dirt bikes and modified e bikes after a late night incident in the city’s southwest raised fresh concerns about dangerous riding and public safety.

Police said three youths were reportedly seen performing stunts and riding electric dirt bikes in the Coach Hill area shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Officers responded after receiving reports about the activity, which quickly developed into a police pursuit involving two of the riders. (CityNews Calgary)

The incident is the latest example of concerns surrounding electric motorcycles and other high powered e bikes being used on Calgary streets, sidewalks and public areas in ways that can create significant risks for riders, pedestrians and motorists.

According to police, officers attempted to stop the riders, but the youths failed to comply and fled through the neighbourhood. Two of them were subsequently arrested and are facing several charges. Police said the investigation remains focused on the circumstances surrounding the chase and the operation of the electric dirt bikes.

The growing popularity of electric bikes has created new challenges for police and municipal authorities because not every vehicle marketed or described as an e bike falls within the same legal category. Some electric dirt bikes are capable of speeds and performance levels far beyond those of conventional pedal assisted bicycles and may require different licensing, registration, insurance or operating conditions.

Police have repeatedly emphasized that riders must understand the legal requirements applying to the particular vehicle they are using. Operating a powerful electric motorcycle as though it were an ordinary bicycle can create serious legal and safety consequences.

The Coach Hill incident also highlights the dangers associated with riding at night, particularly when riders are performing stunts or travelling at high speeds in residential communities. A sudden encounter between an electric dirt bike and a pedestrian, vehicle or cyclist can result in severe injuries.

The Calgary Police Service has identified traffic safety as an important priority in its 2026 policing plan, including education, enforcement and targeted deployment aimed at improving safety on Calgary roads and reducing collisions. (Calgary Police Service)

The issue is also becoming increasingly visible across Calgary as electric transportation continues to evolve. E bikes can provide an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to cars, but police and safety officials face increasing difficulty when highly modified or powerful machines are operated outside the rules designed for bicycles.

The distinction is particularly important for young riders. Electric dirt bikes can look similar to off road recreational motorcycles and may deliver substantially more power than a conventional bicycle. Riders who use them on public roads or pathways without understanding the applicable rules can put themselves and others at risk.

The recent arrests are therefore likely to renew discussions about enforcement, parental responsibility, youth education and the regulation of increasingly powerful electric vehicles.

For Calgary residents, the police warning serves as a reminder that electric transportation does not mean the normal rules of road safety disappear. Riders are expected to operate their vehicles responsibly, respect speed restrictions and other traffic laws, and avoid behaviour that could endanger other members of the public.

The incident in Coach Hill also demonstrates how quickly what may begin as recreational riding can turn into a serious police matter when riders allegedly refuse to stop or use their vehicles in a dangerous manner.

As Calgary continues to see more electric bikes and electric motorcycles on its streets, authorities are likely to face growing pressure to distinguish between legitimate low speed cycling and the illegal use of high powered machines.

Police say their focus is ultimately on keeping Calgary’s roads and public spaces safe. The latest case provides another warning to riders that dangerous riding, fleeing from police and using inappropriate vehicles in public areas can lead to arrests and criminal charges.

Courtesy: calgaryherald