Electric bike riders may enjoy the freedom of zipping around the city without the hassle of needing insurance or a licence.

But during the past few weeks, Barrie Police officers have nabbed three people for riding e-bikes while drunk.

Two were charged with impaired driving and the third was let off with a warning.

Barrie Police Sgt. Glen Furlong said e-bikes can be considered bicycles, but if alcohol is in the mix, riders could face a criminal charge.

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If the pedals are removed from the bikes, they’re treated the same as a motorcycle and riders require a motorcycle licence, helmet and insurance, he said.

And if the rider is running the bike off battery power, officers are able to lay impaired driving charges under the Criminal Code.

Yet if a tipsy rider is using pedals to power the vehicle, officers can only fine them with being drunk in public.

E-bikes were introduced years ago as an affordable method of transportation. Back then, Barrie officers noted many were purchased by people who had lost their driver’s licences as a result of an impaired driving charge.

“That’s still going on now, but we’re seeing people who are using them as an affordable way to get transportation without insurance,” Furlong said.

Another segment of riders are use them to be environmentally friendly, he added.