Borough President To Mayor: Do Something About The ATVs, Bikes

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer is turning up the pressure on Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea to do something about the illegal operation of motorized bikes, ATVs, and street racing that has seen a spike since the beginning of the pandemic.

On Thursday, Brewer penned a letter to the mayor and police commissioner with five possible solutions to "combat the illegal operation of motorized bikes and street racing."

In the letter, the Manhattan Borough President congratulated the Washington Heights-Inwood Task Force for recently developing a list of recommendations to help with the noise and safety issues around the vehicles.

"Thank you for your attention to this matter," Brewer wrote. "With summer approaching, we must act quickly to prevent an ATV, dirt bike, or street racing-related tragedy – crashes have occurred in other cities."

The longtime elected official also mentioned the city's strong work in April and May to go to the gas stations where the owners of ATVs are filling up — and when appropriate — confiscating the vehicles.

150 ATVs have recently been taken off the streets using this strategy.

Here are the five possible solutions Brewer recommended in her letter:

1. Pedestrian and Safety Task Force

"I suggest that the Mayor’s Office & NYPD create a Pedestrian & Street Safety Task Force to
determine the areas with the largest amount of illegal vehicle activity and recommend
potential solutions. I advise enlisting the help of Community Boards in identifying specific
locations where these drivers begin their route, end their route, and store their vehicles."

2. Incentivize Reporting of Illegal Riding

"Following the lead of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, perhaps the City
could explore an incentive program. Similar to DEP’s Citizens Air Complaint Program, a
citizen would receive a reward if their efforts led to the enforcement of a violation in the
City’s traffic code related to ATVs, dirt bikes, or street races."

3. Increase the Cost of the Summonses and Fine Gas Stations

"In New York City, operating ATVs and dirt bikes constitute a violation punishable by a fine
of up to $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 dollars for any subsequent offenses (NYC
Administrative Code § 19-196). These fines may not be enough to deter drivers from
operating these illegal vehicles. In New Haven, Connecticut, a recent ordinance increased
fines on a first offense for drivers illegally operating vehicles, and fined gas stations for
allowing ATVs to fill up without being on a trailer. NYPD should explore the use of these
tactics in New York City."

4. Education Campaign & Legislation

"It is imperative that the Mayor’s office communicate to the public that this vehicular activity
is illegal. The Mayor should introduce a directive that details when, where, and how these
vehicles can be seized and impounded by NYPD. Also, the directive would need to clearly
define illegal operation and illegal storage of these vehicles. Due to the volume and frequency
of reckless motorized bike and street racing activity, it seems to many NYC residents that this
behavior is allowed."

5. Increase Notification and Response Time

"We must give NYPD the tools and information to quickly respond to dangerous drivers and
large, disruptive groups of vehicles. I suggest a tip line or new 311 request option. For
example, citizens should be able to enter a “Dirt Bike/ATV” and “Street Racing/Intentional
Car Backfire” request under the Noise and Vehicles sections on the 311 app. This information
will potentially allow NYPD to coordinate efforts and track traffic routes."