A 13-year-old was uninjured after the e-bike they were riding collided with a vehicle at a Vernon intersection.
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said officers responded to the collision at 39th Avenue and 25th Street.
Police said a passenger vehicle was travelling east when the youth, riding what RCMP described as a non-street-legal e-bike, failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with the vehicle.
“Fortunately, the youth was uninjured as a result of the collision since both the vehicle and the youth were travelling at relatively low speeds when the impact occurred.” Cpl. Tania Finn, media relations officer with Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, said. “The youth may have been uninjured but was not unaffected by this incident.”
Police said everyone involved remained at the scene and co-operated with the investigation.
The e-bike was severely damaged and rendered inoperable, while the vehicle sustained minor damage, according to RCMP.
“One issue that keeps coming up this summer, and has brought up a lot of controversy, is the number of youths on e-bikes riding around in neighbourhoods and on the roadways,” police stated. “A lot of messaging has been disseminated regarding the provincial legislation surrounding this mode of transportation, yet youth continue to operate these devices with little regard for their safety and the laws.”
Police drove the youth home and spoke with a parent about the incident.
RCMP said the youth was issued tickets under the Motor Vehicle Act for several licensing and driving offences, which police said could affect their ability to obtain a driver’s licence in the future.
Police encouraged parents to review B.C.’s e-bike regulations before purchasing an electric dirt bike for their children.
