Specifics related to enforcement were not reported, but Jackson said that the legislation would appear before City Council prior to the legislative body’s summer recess.
“I have been working closely with the Cleveland Division of Police and leaders in the bike-life community to create alternatives for street riding and ensure the safety of police officers, residents, riders and our community,” Jackson said in a press release. “This legislation is part of a comprehensive plan to keep everyone safe, educate riders and enforce laws.”
The city reported that this new legislation will include the prohibition of ATVs and unlicensed dirt bikes on “streets, sidewalks and in City Parks” and will “strengthen” penalties for violators. It will also prohibit street stunts.
“The Division of Police has been working with our law enforcement partners to construct a plan that will curb this illegal activity,” said Chief Williams. “It is our goal to move the riders off of our streets and address the issues of blocked and disrupted traffic and the concerns of residents. By educating riders and citizens and with the public’s assistance, this is certainly possible.”
The City has been working with representatives from the “bike life” community for more than a year. Their joint efforts to promote legal alternatives culminated in the proposal for a dirt bike track at Marion Motley Park, a proposal that is opposed, for varying reasons, by many residents.
Jackson’s grandson, also named Frank Jackson, is a known dirt-bike enthusiast. He has been arrested more than once riding illegally in the streets. Some opponents have complained that Jackson wouldn’t be bothering with a dirt-bike track at all if not for his personal connection. Those who support the track, like Johnnie Burton (founder of the Bob Burton Foundation, with which the city is partnering), contend that the track sends a positive message to youth and will serve as a professional development tool.
This article appears in May 10-16, 2017.
this will do…nothing.
Twice in the last ten days I’ve encountered the Rat Pack stunting along St. Clair Avenue in front of the Westin and on Lorain Avenue by the West Park Post office. For as much noise as they produce they attracted the attention of no law enforcement officials. Sadly our police have more urgent matter to attend. Maybe we can get Jim Brown or Jesse Jackson to do an intervention with the Mayor’s grandson before a casualty occurs.
Timing is everything. Frank Jackson has essentially permitted lawless activity to provide cover for his grandson. Now – as his re-election campaign readies to swarm into neighborhoods – he suddenly wants to take back the streets and parks.
Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!! Rules against stunts!!!!
like these guys want to do stunts there anyway. They WANT to do it on the road. Its not for want of a special place…..they WANT to disrupt!
Dumb.
….meanwhile, if I speed in my car, or drive with no license plate in a stolen vehicle with no drivers license, and run from the police, I’ll go to jail. These guys, nahhh.
I GOT MY DIRTBIKE, made it street legal, put a plate on it, got a motorcycle endorsement on my license and pay insurance. I guess I shouldn’t have bothered.
Djh,
In this case they would have probably pulled you over if you were white.
As most intelligent people know, the dirt bike track will not be used by these riders. There interest is not dirt bike riding. It is getting attention and terrorizing people, so they would have no reason to use the dirt bike track.
Disruption and pissing residents off. It’s what they want. It’s what they do.
Nothing will change until someone is killed. Or several someones.
A lot of folks are fed up. And a lot of them are armed. Bad combination.
Race riots have started over far less.
Gasoline, meet matches. Tick, tick, tick. Pray for a cool and wet summer.
Chuckles the Clown