Wilmington police promise they'll enforce street dirt bike riding rules

Wilmington is humming again with the roar of revved dirt bikes as the weather warms.

It's an escape for some, a nuisance for others and a public safety threat according to police.

Last summer, the city passed an ordinance to fine riders and impound bikes. But, so far it hasn't ended bikers' enthusiasm. 

Spring barely had sprung before tarps were pulled off dirt bikes stored for the winter and two-wheeled daredevils were riding again. They mount up and ride alone or in groups. 

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On the East Side last week, riders were speeding down 10th Street and popping wheelies. Wednesday, a biker group raced down Concord Avenue on a near-midnight expedition.

"The Wilmington Police Department will do its part to enforce these laws and work to ensure public safety for all of our residents," Chief Robert Tracy said in a news release reminding riders about the new law.

Wilmington police seized 54 off-highway vehicles, primarily dirt bikes, last year while enforcing the city ordinance, according to department statistics. 

City police investigated 10 crashes in the city last year and 23 crimes related to OHVs, according to department statistics. At least 11 riders didn't live in Wilmington. 

Wilmington's dirt bikers hit the street almost every day without causing crashes or injuries, but the controversy over the bikes and lack of places where people can ride them goes back years. 

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In September 2014, 13- and 16-year-old brothers were injured when an SUV hit their dirt bike in Southbridge. There were at least five similar crashes that year.

A man on an ATV crashed into a light pole on Market Street in May 2015.

In July 2016, a 21-year-old man on a dirt bike crashed with a Wilmington firetruck and later died from his injuries. Police said the rider failed to stop at a red light and crashed.

A dirt biker crashed into and injured a child getting off a school bus in June 2017. 

The ordinance introduced by Councilman Bob Williams last year allows police to confiscate parked unregistered off-highway vehicles if they aren't secured by a wheel clamp. The ordinance requires owners to pay a fine or forfeit their vehicles to discourage illegal ridership. 

"I think we have to make this aggressive maneuver," Williams said last year. "Every district is affected by this ... It puts riders' lives in danger and pedestrian lives in danger." 

Contact Adam Duvernay at (302) 319-1855 or aduvernay@delawareonline.com.

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