Pedalless e-bikes facing ban from Dry Canyon, other Redmond parks
Published 6:00 am Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Electric-powered dirt bikes may no longer be allowed in Dry Canyon and other Redmond city parks with the passing of new city code.
Following many requests from community members, the city of Redmond has looked at the possibility of banning e-bikes — both pedal and non-pedal assist — from city parks, but after city council discussion and a flash poll that received around 2,000 responses was split on the issue it has decided to write an ordinance banning motorcycles, including pedalless electric bikes.
Redmond Police will then have the authority to ask electric dirt bikers to stay out of Dry Canyon and other problem areas. The city will also install signs in those areas to notify the public.
Council has received many requests over the past couple of months to ban high-powered electric bikes — like Surrons — in Dry Canyon. Community members say the bikes and their riders endanger other park users and tear up sensitive soil.
Most council members say the issue lies with a couple of bad actors, and have been hesitant to implement a ban due to concerns of accessibility and enforcement. But the ordinance, if passed, would allow police to remove those bad actors.
Police Chief Devin Lewis said the Redmond Police Department will deploy two officers to patrol the canyon on bikes this summer to enforce the issue.
Enforcement would be under an officer’s discretion, but Lewis said officers would likely give motorists a warning and educate them that the bikes are not allowed in the park. The department will also rely on signage. An officer may issue a citation in an extreme scenario.
The bad actors in question seem to be people — often kids — on electric dirt bikes or something similar.
Surron was one of the first of these on the market, releasing its lightweight electric dirt bike in 2018. Competitors to Surron include Talaria, E Ride Pro and Rawrr, who all came around in the last five years. They are generally not street legal and designed for off-road use. Some can travel up to 70 mph.
Keith Leitz, Redmond city attorney, said in an April 13 work session that motorcycles were already prohibited under the city’s vehicle code. The new language will call out motorcycles using the state’s definition with an added component that includes bikes without pedals.
“I imagine that the community is having concerns over particular online e-bike offerings that have way too much power, more power than necessary, and possibly don’t even have pedals,” said Bob Gilbert, manager at Trinity Bikes.
Redmond resident Kevin Hillman has a pedal assist e-bike he rides along the Dry Canyon Trail, and would still be able to under the new law. Hillman said he has seen kids skidding around the grass fields at American Legion Park and others riding the trail at speeds over 30 mph.
“Way too fast for mixing with pedestrians and other cyclists,” Hillman said.
Cory Nickel said if there was a ban he might end up getting rid of his Surron. Living near Dry Canyon, he said it’s about the convenience for him. He’s cautious and aware of others in the parks, pulling over to let them by or giving them space, but he knows not all riders are like him.
The next closest area for Nickel to ride would be on land near Eagle Crest, west of Redmond.
To accommodate the bikes, Gilbert proposed designating an area in town where they are allowed.
“Years ago, it used to be that the skate park was a big hullabaloo,” Gilbert said. “Kids were skateboarding downtown, causing ruckus. Well, we built a skatepark. Great. We’re riding bikes all over, causing ruckus. Now, we got a pump track — things are great.”
