WARMINGTON: Peel cops' Project Rogue Riders targets 'wheely' big problem
· Toronto Sun
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The most dangerous place to be for a pedestrian in 2026 is on a sidewalk.
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The safest place for a summer walk along a GTA sidewalk or trail these days is on the grass along the side of it. It’s where too many end up jumping anyway, while giving way for the motorized two-wheeled menaces that are king now.
Sidewalks have become like highways.
Being on the grass is the best way to avoid being hit or brushed off by an e-bike, dirt bike, e-scooter, or other electric motorized transportation.
None of those are allowed on sidewalks, but they now run them. And up until now, there has been nothing anybody could say or do about it.
That is until Peel Regional Police stepped up and arrested some youths on dirt bikes as part of Project Rogue Riders.
Long-needed pushback
Finally, some pushback on these sidewalk terrors — this time in Brampton.
These electric machines with aggressive and rude camouflaged riders that fly by people — many seniors or moms with young children — walking along a sidewalk and don’t obey lights are a dangerous menace. They don’t always hit people but muscles are pulled trying to get out of way pic.twitter.com/8K5hVX9rmg
— Joe Warmington (@joe_warmington) December 15, 2023
“In April 2026, 21 Division CIRT launched Project Rogue Riders in response to several community complaints regarding the disregard for public safety in residential neighbourhoods by the operation of off-road vehicles,” Peel police said last week. “These off-road vehicles were observed driving on park pathways, sidewalks, failing to stop for stop signs and driving at high speeds. Through the investigation, officers were able to identify three male youth.”
Peel police reported that “investigators with the 21 Division Community Intervention and Response Team (CIRT) have arrested and charged three youth (ages 13, 15 and 17) in relation to ongoing reckless driving of dirt bikes in Brampton” and charged them with “dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, stunt driving a careless driving.”
The youths can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The dirt bikes are real trouble. But so are the powerful e-bikes. The e-scooters are not as much of an issue, but sometimes can be if there are irresponsible operators.
While these charges are just the beginning, this enforcement will give people with canes, or seniors in wheelchairs, or those walking dogs, or pushing strollers and with small children a fighting chance to just be able to enjoy their stroll without being hurt, or even killed.
These Rogue Riders are very hard to catch. Some of them are very aggressive and belligerent. They will fly through a school zone, or near a seniors-aged home as if they know there are no consequences.
Project Rogue Riders: Youth Arrested for Reckless Driving of Dirt Bikes
— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) August 14, 2026
READ MORE: https://t.co/qAlQyIXfT3 pic.twitter.com/1aUqbi8mh9
Quietly approaching
One of the worst parts about these massive e-bikes, some with thick tires, making them look like two-wheeled tanks, is that, despite moving at high speeds, you can’t hear them coming from behind. The riders are often wearing all black, as though they are bikers, covered in a helmet and a mask so they are hard to identify.
Many times, they will dart in between people walking and zig-zag through. Even if they don’t always hurt the pedestrians, it scares them and can often leave them with a limp because of a pulled muscle from surprisedly and quickly dodging out of the way. Often greeted with the middle finger, people curse at these Rogue Riders going by, but it all happens so fast, that you can’t do anything about it.
Peel police realized this and put on this sting operation. Utilizing drones and other investigative measures, not only were they able to lay down the law, locate the youth allegedly involved and, with a searched warrant, seize their bikes, they are able to send a message that this kind of enforcement is possible.
All police services in the GTA have to keep going with this. Crack down on e-bike and dirt-bike operators for riding on pedestrian walkways. It’s not always kids doing it. There are plenty of adults using these things as well.
Blaming the riders is only part of the solution here. The province and cities need to either ban these things all together and not let companies rent and sell them, or they need to licence them under the Highway Traffic Act and require drivers to have insurance and also a safety course like they do with boating.
Until they do, the safest place when you go out for a walk on a sidewalk or trail is on the grass.