New York mayor bulldozes hundreds of illegal dirt bikes and ATVs

New York City Mayor Eric Adams decided to make examples out of 100 illegal dirt bikes and ATVs seized by the city in an enforcement campaign intended to curb the "nuisance" of off-road vehicles being driven in swarms on city streets, "terrorizing" the metropolis.

Adams touted the results of a sweeping campaign that led to the confiscation of approximately 900 bikes and ATVs — nearly 90% more than were seized the prior year. Pitching it as a public safety issue, Adams noted that the issue is broader than the bikes merely being undocumented; they are often operated by uninsured drivers. As is the case in many urban centers where dirt bike and ATV gangs are prevalent, the vehicles are often stolen from surrounding suburbs.

"Many of these bikes don't have insurance. If they strike someone, the person is left with medical costs and other out of pocket expenses. So we're going to keep doing our part. We are happy about what we're doing today. It’s sending a strong message of our consistency in this area. Really, my thanks to the Chief of Patrol, Chief Maddrey and the Police Commissioner for ensuring that this initiative is important. Quality of life is everything, and it is our focus to deal with crime and the quality of life aspects, and these dirt bikes were a menace to the quality of life," Adams said before giving the bulldozer operator their cue.