Pittsburgh police cracking down on off-road vehicles riding on city streets, tip line set up

Pittsburgh public safety officials have created a tip line to crack down on people riding off-road vehicles on city streets and sidewalks.

Authorities said the increase in so-called “flash mobs” and “ride-outs” that involve groups of people riding all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles on city streets and sidewalks — often in the wrong direction and with no regard to traffic laws — is part of a trend occurring across the country.

Officials noted that an ATV rider was struck and killed by an SUV in New York City last September when the ATV drove into a crosswalk against a red light. Two years ago another rider in New York lost an eye during a collision.

In Pittsburgh last summer, a dirt bike rider driving in a bicycle lane on Liberty Avenue was injured when he clipped a turning vehicle and was thrown from the dirt bike onto the back of a parked car.

In the past week, Pittsburgh police issued eight citations and towed two vehicles from a ride-out event.

One of those citations was issued to a person who was riding a dirt bike the wrong way toward police along North Beatty Street in East Liberty.

“It is just a matter of time before this irresponsible behavior leads to a serious injury or death either of the rider, or to an innocent pedestrian or motorist in Pittsburgh,” said Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich.

Authorities estimate that between 50 and 200 off-road vehicles can be found riding on city streets and sidewalks at any given time.

Pittsburgh Public Safety has launched a three-pronged plan to crack down on the illegal activity that involves education and community outreach, collaborating with other law enforcement agencies and investigation and enforcement of scofflaws.

“Police want people to enjoy their ATVs and dirt bikes, but to do so in a legal and safe way,” said Pittsburgh police Commander Eric Holmes. “We cannot address this problem alone and we are asking for the public’s help to put an end to these dangerous and disruptive ride-outs in the city.”

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has set up an email address — 412_TIPS@pittsburghpa.gov — for people to report off road vehicles riding on city streets.