Richmond RCMP target speeding and underage e-bike riders this summer

Richmond RCMP’s Road Safety Unit issued 358 speeding tickets in June as it continued focusing on speed, distracted driving and impairment across the city.

The unit is also increasing attention on underage e-bike and e-scooter riders. Officers are addressing riders below the legal age, sidewalk riding, failure to wear helmets and carrying passengers. Police asked parents to review the rules for the devices their children use, saying summer enforcement will continue.

In a recent two-hour sidewalk operation at No. 3 Road and Ackroyd Road, officers dealt with 39 offences, most through warnings. Two files involved underage riders whose parents were called to pick up the youths and their devices.

On June 8, an officer stopped a Jeep on Highway 99 because its tires extended beyond the fenders and it had no mud flaps. RCMP said the vehicle had received a Level 2 inspection order for the same issue in March but had not been repaired or inspected within the required period. The driver was charged with operating an improperly equipped vehicle, having no mud flaps and failing to comply with a notice and order; the plates were seized and the Jeep was towed.

Police also reported 31 impaired-driving-related charges in June and urged residents to arrange a sober ride home through a designated driver, transit, taxi or rideshare.