nothin $2K Dirt-Bike Fines Approved | New Haven Independent

$2K Dirt-Bike Fines Approved

Dirt bikers, beware.

A new law passed by the Board of Alders Monday night raises the highest possible fine for anyone caught illegally driving dirt bikes or ATVs on city streets, parks, or sidewalks from $99 to $2,000.

Local legislators unanimously passed the new ordinance amendment Monday night during their latest bimonthly meeting, which was held online via Zoom and YouTube Live.

The law imposes a fine of up to $1,000 for first-time offenses, up to $1,500 for anyone caught a second time, and up to $2,000 for third-time violations and up.

The vote represents the culmination of over a year of advocacy by the police department and concerned neighbors looking to put a stop to loud and dangerous riding citywide.

The $1,000-to-$2,000 fines apply to anyone caught driving dirt bikes, ATVs, or other motorized recreational vehicles” on any public property within city limits. That includes streets, sidewalks, parks, and playgrounds.

The new proposed fines are the maximum allowed by state law for illegal dirt bike and ATV riding.

Zoom

Monday night’s aldermanic virtual meeting.


This ordinance amendment will help New Haven to strongly deter the use of off-road vehicles [like ATVs and dirt bikes] without increasing police contact,” East Rock Alder and Legislation Committee Chair Charles Decker said. He said that other Connecticut municipalities that have adopted similarly steep fines have seen a drastic decrease” of illegal riding on public property.

Westville/Amity Alder and Board of Alders Majority Leader Richard Furlow agreed as he thanked Assistant Chiefs Karl Jacobson and Renee Dominguez of taking the lead on drafting, revising, and championing the legislation. I think it’s going to work in favor of our city residents, not just those who drive automobiles, but also those who are pedestrians.”

The law also imposes a fine of $250 for anyone 16 years or old who rides as a passenger on such an illegally-operated motorized recreational vehicle.

Click here to download the final version of the approved ordinance amendment.

Thomas Breen file photo

Asst. Chief Dominguez with seized dirt bikes in May.

In addition to the new, higher fines for illegal driving and riding, the law creates a new $100 fine for any local gas station owner or employee who sells fuel to dirt bike or ATV riders.

It also creates a new $100 fine for dirt bike or ATV dealers who do not post a copy of the city’s motorized recreational vehicle” ordinance at their respective place of business.

A substitute amendment unanimously approved Monday night further prohibits electric personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMDS)—or motorized scooters, wheelchairs, or segways — from being operated in the roadway.

Those devices may ride, however, in bike lanes or on sidewalks. If they are operated on the sidewalk, they cannot go faster than 5 miles per hour.

The substitute amendment also creates a hearing process for owners to contest the police’s seizing of their dirt bikes, ATVs, or other motorized recreational vehicles per the terms of this law.

During an August press conference at City Hall about the then-proposed law as well as during an October Legislation Committee hearing on the matter, top police officials framed the new, significantly heavier fines as part of a strategy to deter illegal riding through financial penalties and vehicle confiscation while reducing the likelihood of arrest.

They said that similar laws have been effective in New London and Hartford, and that the new law should lead some riders from outside of the city to pause before traveling to New Haven to drive in groups, show off in the streets, and taunt police.

If you’re a rider from out of town and you’re gonna get a fine, and you’re not gonna be able to get gas, then you’re not gonna come to New Haven to ride,” Asst. Police Chief Karl Jacobson said during the October committee hearing.

Decker said during Monday’s aldermanic meeting that a large percentage of drivers and owners” of illegally-operated dirt bikes and ATVs who ride in New Haven hail from outside of the city.

New Haven has a no-chase policy regarding dirt bikers, based on the understanding that speeding after speeding riders will only endanger police officers, dirt bikers, and bystanders.

Some local dirt bike advocates have criticized the law as imposing too harsh of a punishment on riders who simply enjoy dirt bikes and want a safe place to ride. They have called for the city to create a new, dedicated dirt bike riding area in West Rock Park.

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