‘Public safety outweighs the offence.’ Officer explains why cops don’t chase kids on e-dirt bikes

During a wide ranging discussion that also touched on shoplifting and the need for target practice, Coquitlam council interrogated Coquitlam RCMP’s officer-in-charge about youth riding e-dirt bikes on city streets.

During the June 22 meeting, Coun. Robert Mazzarolo talked about seeing young riders around Coast Meridian, “blowing past you, doing wheelies in oncoming traffic.”

A group of riders on Burke Mountain are “posing a danger to residents,” as well as drivers and pedestrians, he added.

“I would strongly encourage that some resources be deployed on Burke Mountain,” he said.

Police are handling enforcement with helicopters when possible and issuing fines while avoiding high-speed pursuit, explained Coquitlam RCMP Insp. Todd Balaban.

“You’re not going to see us lights-and-siren chasing a guy on a dirt bike,” he said.

While there could be an exception when the rider is a threat to the public prompting police to give chase, in most cases: “public safety outweighs the offence,” he said.

“Do I want to chase a 14-year-old kid on an e-dirt bike and have him die?” he asked.

While e-bikes are regulated and top out at 32 kilometres per hour, e-dirt bikes can hit 100 km/h, he noted.

Crime stats

Aside from an uptick in residential break-and-enters, property crimes were down in most categories in 2026 with the exception of shoplifting.

Coquitlam businesses reported 168 incidents of shoplifting in the first trimester of 2026 – 86 percent more than the three-year average.

That increase is largely due to affordability, Balaban told council.

“It’s not the transient or unhoused persons,” he said. “it is the mom and pops . . . grabbing bread and eggs and milk.”

While there are some instances of shoplifting at clothing shops, most of the shoplifting involves people taking staple items at grocery stores.

“We’re not seeing high-ticket items being stolen. We’re not seeing steaks being stolen,” he added.

Police look to target repeat offenders but in many cases the crime is unreported, he said.

“A lot of times loss prevention officers will only call us after the fact because they want to track it for the purpose of insurance,” he said. “By that time there’s nobody in custody.”

Crime was generally flat in the first four months of 2026, with police statistics showing a decline in assaults and sex offences.

Gun club

As a longtime firearms instructor, Balaban discussed the importance of regular target practice.

“It’s a perishable skill,” he said. “It’s a skill that we don’t take lightly because it’s life or death.”

RCMP officers from across the region have routinely used the shooting range at the Port Coquitlam District Hunting and Fishing Club.

The club is approved to stay next to Pinecone Park until 2029. However, as development plans move forward, the club may have to find another location.

“There’s a question mark right now,” said Coun. Matt Djonlic. “Better to maybe start that conversation now.”

There are benefits to have an outdoor range nearby, Balaban said, noting the difference between a quick trip to Burke Mountain and a half-day commute to Chilliwack.