Daniel Dahlberg was stoked about his new electric skateboard, believing it to be the perfect solution to his commuting needs.

That was before he was slapped with a $598 traffic ticket last Friday in Kitsilano, just two days after buying the board.

"You can imagine how surprising it is to hear a cop say, 'pull over' when you're on a skateboard," said Dahlberg.

The ticket cited an infraction of the B.C. motor vehicle act section 24 (3) (b), also known as driving without insurance.

A man rides an electric skateboard in Gastown traffic. The devices are controlled by a handheld remote and have a range of about 12 kilometres. (David Horemans/CBC)

What the ticket doesn't acknowledge is that there is in fact no way to insure an electric skateboard because ICBC has categorized the devices as illegal.

That was news to Dahlberg and other electric skateboarders who commented when he posted his story on social media.

'Pass cops every day'

"I've had a lot of people who own one reach out and tell me that they pass cops every day and no one has ever stopped them or even looked twice," said Dahlberg.

Vancouver police say just one skateboarder was ticketed along West 3rd Ave. in Kitsilano last Friday during a targeted traffic enforcement operation.

VPD Cpl. Jason Robillard said traffic tickets can be contested, adding "sometimes technology evolves faster than the Motor Vehicle Act."

The point is not lost on Dahlberg, who doesn't understand why electric bicycles are allowed on B.C. roads, but not electric skateboards.

Dahlberg is planning to return his $2500 skateboard for a refund now that he's discovered it's illegal to use it on B.C. roads. (David Horemans/CBC)

A small piece of good news is Boarder Labs, the store he bought the $2500 skateboard from, is willing to take it back and refund the money.

Electric skateboards here to stay

But Boarder Labs co-owner Graham Peat says it's time for jurisdictions everywhere to start revamping road laws because judging by their popularity and increase in sales, electric skateboards are here to stay.

"They're a great option for people who don't want to drive," he said. "The cities are where the battle is going to be — it's about sharing the public spaces and that's going to be an issue with every new technology."

Even though he's giving up his ride for now, Dahlberg says he will continue to fight to have the ticket overturned, if only to bring some attention to the issue.

"I moved to Vancouver seven months ago from Montreal. We always heard how Vancouver is so green, and about low carbon emissions and nature and the environment," he said.

"I am trying to ride a safe device that emits no carbon and I get fined way more money than someone who gets a speeding ticket in a car? I'd love to see that change."