Two youths charged after late‑night e‑dirt bike chase through Calgary neighbourhood
Posted Aug 19, 2026 12:24 pm.
Last Updated Aug 19, 2026 7:28 pm.
Two youths are facing charges after a group on electric dirt bikes allegedly fled from officers in southwest Calgary earlier this week, prompting police to out a public warning about the legality of electric motorbikes.
Calgary police say officers were called to the community of Coach Hill around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday for reports of three people performing stunts and riding e-dirt bikes dangerously through the neighbourhood.
The riders took off when officers tried to stop them, according to police, weaving through residential streets as HAWCS tracked them from the air.
Two of the riders were arrested a short time later and their bikes were seized. Both now face charges for dangerous operation of a vehicle and flight from police.
The third rider was not caught by police. The investigation is ongoing.
The arrests come days after another a 16-year-old was stopped in the northwest community of Citadel.
In that case, police say an electric motorcycle was seen travelling more than 70 km/h through green spaces, walking paths, and on the wrong side of the road and passing vehicles.
The rider was found to not have a proper license, insurance or registration. They were issued seven tickets and charged with dangerous driving.
Police warn e-motobikes are illegal on Calgary roads, pathways
Calgary police are reminding residents that electric dirt bikes and e‑motorcycles cannot be operated on any public roads, sidewalks, pathways or parks, and are only legal on private property.
CPS Insp. Robbie Patterson says they vehicles have different rules than e‑bikes, which are allowed on city roads and pathways as long as the rider is older than 12, and city‑owned e‑scooters, which can be used on streets and pathways, but not sidewalks. Privately owned e‑scooters are restricted to pathways only.
“E‑motorcycles are different, they are dangerous,” Patterson says. “They do not have the safety features required for a regular motor vehicle. They are fast, surprisingly fast.”
He says police will not tolerate riding that puts public safety at risk, and warns buyers to pay close attention when buying the vehicles, adding that many do people do not realize they are illegal to ride in public when they purchase them.
“The reason it’s illegal is because it’s not safe,” he says.
Police say they have had increasing complaints in the past months and have seen groups gathering and deliberately flaunting the rules.
Patterson says CPS is working with prosecutors and the province to clarify what laws can be used to respond to the growing issue. He notes Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act is outdated and needs revisions as new technology emerges.
“We are working with the provincial government,” he said, adding that the act is years old. “The Criminal Code works really well, though.”
Anyone with additional information about the Coach Hill incident is asked to call police at 403‑266‑1234, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
