Pa. bill allowing police to seize illegally operated dirt bikes, ATVs heads to Wolf's desk

The state Senate passed a bill late Wednesday allowing police in urban municipalities to seize dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles from owners who illegally drive them on roads, and the measure now heads to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf.

The bill passed almost unanimously in the Senate last month, but the House added multiple amendments which exempted certain municipalities and clarified penalties. The vote in the House was 135-65, with many “no” votes coming from both parties.

Wolf’s office early Thursday did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Dirt bikes and ATVs driving onto roads, ignoring traffic laws and scaring pedestrians has been an issue in parts of Pennsylvania, including the Lehigh Valley.

Allentown Republican Sen. Pat Browne initially wrote the bill to apply solely to the Lehigh Valley area, but said other municipalities asked to be added to the bill.

After the House’s amendments, the bill affects only first, second, second-A and third class cities — boroughs will no longer be covered by the bill. The bill also no longer applies to dual-sport motorcycles or electric pedalcycles.

The amendments also clarify that, although police may seize dirt bikes and ATVs that are operating illegally, they may not sell the bikes until the owner is convicted.

The final version of the bill lays out that, on the first violation of the bill, the offender would be fined between $50-200 and on the second violation, between $100-300. Failure to pay these fines would result in up to 10 or 30 days in jail, respectively.