"Riding the rules of the road is a two-wheeled affair in Okotoks."
Okotoks Municipal Enforcement is reminding residents of the rules for permitted e-bikes and e-scooters on Okotoks roads, sidewalks, and pathways. With the increasing popularity of small electric vehicles in the community, there has been confusion about what is permitted and what is not.
According to Municipal Enforcement officers, there has been a rise in illegal and dangerous use of “Sur-Ron-style” e-dirt bikes, with riders doing wheelies on public roads, weaving in and out of traffic, and riding through public places like sports fields, parks, sidewalks, and pathways.
An e-bike is considered illegal if it does not have functioning pedals, can exceed 32 km/h with motor assistance, or has an electric motor that produces more than 500 watts of power. Legal e-bikes have a manufacturer label identifying them as power-assisted bicycles and are permitted on pathways, sidewalks, and roadways.
E-scooters are permitted on pathways and sidewalks in Okotoks but are not permitted on roadways. On pathways, riders must follow the 20 km/h speed limit, have a bell or horn, and always yield to pedestrians.
Operating a prohibited e-scooter or e-dirt bike can result in charges for operating a motor vehicle without a proper driver’s licence and without insurance. Combined penalties can add up to thousands of dollars in fines or even a trip to court.
For more information on the rules and regulations for e-bikes, e-scooters, and other small vehicles, residents can refer to the provincial handbook, Rules and Regulations Applying to Small Vehicles.
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