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“I asked him why,” Dahlberg said. “He said it’s because I had no insurance. So then I asked him, I had no idea I needed it, how do I get it, and he told me that I wasn’t able to get insurance. So I just kinda stared at him flabbergasted because I didn’t know how to respond to that. It doesn’t really make a lot of sense.”

Dahlberg’s plea of ignorance, which seems understandable when motorized scooters and skateboards are common sights on Vancouver’s streets, had little affect. The officer responded that ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

“I told him, ‘I completely agree, but I’ll walk this thing right back to the store and give it back because I had no indication at all that this was illegal,’ ” Dahlberg said. “I made a comparison to a motorized bike and he said those ones are actually legal because they actually assist you and you’re able to operate them manually. I made the case that I could operate my skateboard manually. He said ‘nice try.’ ”

Dahlberg intends to challenge the ticket.

“I’m definitely going to contest it,” he said. “Definitely. I just think it’s wrong that I can’t use a device like this.”

He also plans to return the e-skateboard and get his money back. Unfortunately, he’ll have to deal directly with the manufacturer. He can’t return it to the board shop because, thanks to his short-lived first ride, which ended with him walking with the board under his arm the rest of the way, it’s been used.

“I have contacted the place that sold it to me to basically find out why they didn’t warn me. He said they’ve been selling these boards for two years and he’s never been aware of the law,” Dahlberg said.