The NYPD used two bulldozers today to send a loud, and hopefully clear, message. Police Commissioner Bratton was on hand as the bulldozers crushed 70 illegal motorcycles, dirt bikes, and ATVs. The department has been cracking down on unlicensed drivers who operate the banned bikes and it's confiscated 679 of them so far this year. All of the bikes will eventually be destroyed and sold to a scrap metal company.
Police say 104 people have been arrested this year and charged with reckless endangerment. Bratton called them "nitwits and knuckleheads" for doing tricks on highways and streets, speeding, and running red lights. Residents have also complained for years about the noise late at night. Bratton says most of the illegal activity takes place in the Bronx and upper Manhattan.
What do you say? What's your reaction to the NYPD holding an event to crush 70 illegal motor bikes with bulldozers? Do you welcome this crackdown? Are these bikes creating problems where you live? Will today's event make a difference to deter New Yorkers from breaking the law? Where should the NYPD focus its attention next?
Kimberly’s Thoughts
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us tonight. I really enjoy this show topic, as I see two sides to this issue. I used to live in Morningside Heights and I can recall several occasions when I was woken up in the middle of the night by the aggressive roars of these motor bike engines. I found it incredibly frightening, but what was even worse was seeing the bikers weave in and out of traffic on roadways like the Henry Hudson Parkway. I often saw large groups of bikers popping wheelies or chasing each other while weaving in between moving cars. For these reasons, I support the ban on these kinds of motorized bikes in the five boroughs.
On the opposite side of the argument, though – I do acknowledge what a few callers mentioned. In some neighborhoods ATV-ing and dirt bike riding serve as a way of bringing people together. One viewer who called the show tonight said her two sons rode these kinds of bikes for 15 years and it kept them out of trouble and away from crime. She suggested building a park-like area where riders can test their tricks and rev up their engines in a confined space, so they don’t endanger other New Yorkers. I guess the problem with that is – how will bikers get to the parks if they can’t ride the bikes on the streets.
Your thoughts posted below.
Viewer E-mails
Why on earth would you throw away the possibility of auctioning off these vehicles in another state ..when we have police officers that need new body armour or stun guns ...or to help the homeless.. Or to give the city council members another raise …lol
Mark, Upper East Side
I believe that the same rules should apply to all those that ride the bikes no matter what type they are.If you steal a bike you should suffer the same consequences as you would for stealing a car and just carry that same rule throughout. No matter what the violation is just keep the amount of fine as you do with a car. That will definitely eliminate much of the violations. Immediately as a caller suggested last night they should apply for a license. and all the ID you need to go along with the responsibility of bikes. I myself think they should have not even started with bike lanes at all. They are deadly and no one can see them comming. Remember we also have to still deal with the drivers and their cars that still insist to use their cell phones and the speeding and road rage in our particular on their cell phones and the speeding and road rage in our particular neighborhoods. Maxxiee, mp
This is "Kathy, "formerly from throggs neck da Bronx." Although I cannot see the show in West Virginia I still enjoy reading the topics on-line. My comment is that I used to drive surrounded by the bikers and as far as I am concerned they should confiscate even more of the bikes and confiscate the illegal bikers right along with them. It is sad that the bikers don't get it, but, the police are actually saving some of their lives or at least preventing injury to them and to other drivers and pedestrians!
Why are they destroying them!! There are a million third world countries that could use them! That is disgusting to destroy them. When so many places could benefit from them. Send containers of bikes to these places. I'm appalled! And Bratton, needs to straighten his act. Amy
Of course dangerous riding should be fined but destroying those bikes is a waste and unfair because they don't crush the cars of drunk drivers. We need to create bike parks for riders to enjoy safely their sport. Susana, Riverdale
It's rediculous that they are destroying these bikes. They can ship them to Pennsylvania to auction them off, or further from the city. Assuming a conservative $500 per bike, with $700 bikes, that's $350k. What are the costs to destroy these bikes and what are they getting from the metal scrap yard?
The commissioner looks like a petty fool. Im against the bikes but this pr stunt is just foolish and a waste of time and resources better spent elsewhere. John
This caller, Lesha Sekou, appears to be out of touch with reality. The bikes being confiscated are not legally licensed motorcycles, they are the dirt bikes and mini bikes that are plaguing many neighborhood unnecessarily. The marauding packs are not “practicing” any sport, they are menacing the neighborhoods and flaunting their macho facades. Fully support the Commissioner, I think his approach is exactly the right one and sends the right message. I don’t know of any dirt biker who will do what these people are doing on city streets. Robert, Sheepshead Bay
Lets be honest, one of the real reasons there targeting the bikers are because their black. Another easy way to target minorities. Only five deaths in of city of 8 million people, he should be ashamed of him self.
Mikell From South Ozone Park Ny
What is the point of bulldozing the bikes? It seems unnecessary and some to send a "message".
I agree with Iesha Sekou. There should be a space for the riders of mini bikes and off road vehicles to ride. Of course, there should also be regulations to ride in the streets. I don't ride, but it seems NYC outlaws everything people deem as fun. Rhonda from Brooklyn
If you want to see street racing, cars and bikes...any weekend and some weekday nights...Locust Ave and 135th Street in the Bronx. Eddie
I support the crackdown on reckless riding on city streets. I DON'T support the crushing of these vehicles. This is extraordinarily wasteful. The vehicles could be sold to make money for the City or donated to charity. The waste is truly DISGUSTING! How many of these were stolen vehicles? Another issue is the lack of legal places to operate off-road vehicles. Jim, Kew Gardens
I live on the upper east side and at least once a week, these bikes and atvs rides down 2nd ave causing havoc and doing wheelies, where is the police when you need them.
Blaise
Upper east side
With all the issues we have right now in New York as far as police and the public not getting along this is such the wrong message - "the NYPD will take away and destroy your toys" like a school yard bully! I also agree with the person who said they should be donated and it is so wasteful.
-tara, queens
As a legal motorcycle rider for 14 years and this will not deter the dirtbike problem it will only Incourage the rider to antagonize the nypd more this isn't a solution to the problem the solution is Building a park like other states have so these riders can have a place to ride. Kenny
While I don't agree with crushing or name calling, I do think that bikers who use their bikes in an illegal manner are menaces to our communities. I live on 148th and when it's warm and sunny out, I know there's trouble ahead.
One year a motor bike hit my car, flipped off the bike into the street. He jumped back on the bike and drove off leaving me with over $5000 damage to car.
Another time I was on Brooklyn Bridge and was surrounded by a fleet of them. One biker intentionally slowed down in front of me and was doing willys. I was terrified. This needs to stop.
Sheldon
Resell the bikes or its parts to Sates where it is legal to ride or ship it to poorer countries. Use the profit for new recreational activities in the poor communities! Using Bulldozers to show for an example does nothing. WG
Let's talk about how the cops run us down when we in a designated area with no traffic is at for example like the back of Hunts Point and even though they are going to crush the bike once again who gets the money NYPD. Benny
If these kids were white and in the Midwest they'd get corporate sponsors to compete in the x-games. Agree the riding in the street is dangerous, but why not instead work to give them an outlet to explore their talents towards something positive.
Instead they're criminalized, taunted and mocked by the commisioner. The crushing of the bikes is absurd and at 900 bikes, assuming at auction $500 each, that's $450,000. Sell them in Pennsylvania or further from the city. The commissioner needs to grow up.
John
Brooklyn
Taking these bikes off the road and fining them is appropriate but destroying private property is an over reach. The visual of the bikes being crushed sends a strong message that the authorities will destroy anyone they deem negative. Who are the people making these decisions are the reflective of the community. Yesterday it was an attack on drivers who endangered bicyclist. This is total hypocrisy when the Wall Street fat cats who bankrupted this country and destroyed the middle class are partying on yachts in the Hampton's. Kenny, Jackson Heights
The police com. Crushing the bikes shows just how childish his is.little kids do things like that. I ride a motorcycle, legal of course, but regardless you cannot take somebody's property and just decide to break it or crush it that's why we have laws for criminal procedure law civil procedure that's what their products are made for there certain steps this guy is just going to be on his duty. Matthew
Since they are illegal to ride in the city they should go after those that sell the items.
Seriously the bikes ride on side walks, up and the wrong way streets... Go after them for breaking laws too. If we are going extreme be extreme for everything and everyone! Damali
I'm shocked at what I am seeing. As a motorcyclist I certainly do not condone the dangerous behavior of a few but DESTROYING motorcycles is wrong. Shocking, wasteful, ecological effects: What about the oil? brake fluid? gas? suspension oils? Oonagh, FiDi
I been a legal biker for 16 year, sometimes I don't feel like going out and ride because of these reckless unconsidered riders.
Many callers said that these rider are talented..... the problem is that they're breaking all the rules, They don't pay insurance, registration, or inspection.... They're illegal, not respectful, 90% are stolen. And they don't show or give a positive example....
And the problem is that the legal riders are targeted because of these young reckless riders ....and is not about minority is about the following the rules and respect others.
I do believe that those bike could've donated or just be more creative rather destroyed them.
Sam, Ozone Park
I agree with the parent of the Harlem bikers. Dirt bikes and ATVs are designed for outdoor use not the city. If you can purchase them you can take them outdoors to clubs outside the city. Riding them in the streets recklessly endanger pedestrians and riders too. Bikers should only ride in NY streets registered bikes, licensed, wearing a helmet and obeying the traffic laws like the rest of us bikers. I think the confiscated illegal bikes are been destroyed to send a message and not allow them back on the streets.
Obed Washington Heights
Art form my....
It's a disrespectful form of terrorizing the streets by loud dirt bikes.
Some things you just do do in the city, it's probably difficult for these guys to follow up on these rules. Wanna ride your dirt bike do it outside the city, legal wearing a helmet and the proper motor gear.
This has nothing to do with sport , we all no better...
I'm a motor rider myself for 22 years , don't feel the need to cross red lights, cut off traffic and do all stupid things to show off my skills .
Petra