Loud Motorcycles and Children

So basically it's the noise that bothers you when you guys are in bed between 12 and 4 on the weekends? Maybe fight back with music and loud groans of joy?

Just personally I would be pretty careful about telling a neighbor or telling on a neighbor about how they raise their kids - bike, no helmut, etfc.

However, there is a dog across the street from me named Zoka who is not walked nearly enough. And by walked I mean walked right up to my couch for cuddles.

you should try and do the right thing, independent of whether or not you think the parents will do the right thing.

next time they are riding I would go out and talk with the parents while they are watching the kids ride, (which incidentally, may not be illegal http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/DMVfaqs.htm)

and basically have a conversation and mention your concerns. If the guy is a mensch he will agree to cut the time back some or tell them to ride the other direction so they don't have to pass your house.

if the parents are jerks just mention how you have recently taken up playing the bagpipes and you certainly hope it doesn't bother them when you play at sunrise every morning.

The street is NOT their backyard. They're riding a dirt bike up and down the sidewalk? Stop dithering and call 311 on these inconsiderate fuckers.

jeffrey wrote: You could always buy them a muffler attachment and present it as a neighborly gift, with a bow on top.

In the end it might be money well spent, on a number of levels.

Yeah, that's nice. Some assholes are reenacting "Mad Max" on the sidewalk in front of your home, and you should buy them a present. Why not invite them up to your place, and offer them a refreshing glass of wine while they pop wheelies in your living room?

Danny Hellman wrote: The street is NOT their backyard. They're riding a dirt bike up and down the sidewalk? Stop dithering and call 311 ...

agree

Riding an unregistered motorcycle such as a dirt bike on a public street is illegal. The kids could be charged with a number of violations, including:

a) operating a motor vehicle without a license
b) operating an unregistered motor vehicle
c) operating an uninsured motor vehicle
d) failing to display plates

The tickets for these are well over a thousand dollars, and could cause the kids to lose their license, even if they don't yet have one.

If they happen to cause any property damage or, God forbid, hit a pedestrian or even a pet, the liability could be tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. After all, they're certainly not insured.

Be a 'concerned neighbor' and present these points to the kids' parents. They may not understand the risks they're assuming.

Mpmav1 wrote: [quote=Danny Hellman]The street is NOT their backyard. They're riding a dirt bike up and down the sidewalk? Stop dithering and call 311 ...

agree

Just more agreement.

FYI... from the DMV website:

Motorized Scooters, Mini-Bikes, Dirt Bikes, Go-Karts, Motor Assisted Bicycles

You cannot register any of the motorized devices from the list below in NYS. You cannot operate these devices on sidewalks, public streets or highways in NYS. These devices are motor vehicles, but they do not have the correct equipment or design for operation on roadways.

Motorized Scooter - a device with a motor attached and a handlebar for a standing rider. An example of a motorized scooter is the device called the Go-ped®.
Mini-bike - a small, motorized device with two wheels and created for off-road use. A mini-bike does not qualify as a moped, a motorcycle or an ATV.
Dirt Bike - a motorized device like a motorcycle, but created for and used for off-road use. Some "dirt bikes" qualify as an ATV. These vehicles can register and operate off-road as an ATV.
Go-Kart - a small, motorized device with four wheels, created for off-road use. You cannot register a go-kart as a motor vehicle or ATV because a go-kart does not have the same equipment.
Motor-assisted Bicycle - a bicycle to which a small motor is attached. A motor-assisted bicycle does not qualify for a registration as a motorcycle, moped or ATV and does not have the same equipment.

These devices are not allowed on any street, highway, parking lot, sidewalk or other area that allows public motor vehicle traffic. You are subject to arrest if you operate one of these motorized vehicles and do not have a registration, driver license, inspection, insurance or correct equipment. The DMV can not provide any information about operation of these devices on private property. Contact the local authorities and property owners.

eastbloc wrote: [quote=vidro3]you should try and do the right thing, independent of whether or not you think the parents will do the right thing.

next time they are riding I would go out and talk with the parents while they are watching the kids ride, (which incidentally, may not be illegal http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/DMVfaqs.htm)

It's totally illegal.

"These devices are not allowed on any street, highway, parking lot, sidewalk or other area that allows public motor vehicle traffic. You are subject to arrest if you operate one of these motorized vehicles and do not have a registration, driver license, inspection, insurance or correct equipment. "

Yea, you're right. I thought the proviso that some "dirt bikes" can be registered as ATVs was a bit of a loophole that would allow them to operate on street.
Not so.

Interestingly, the DMV brochure also states, " A parent or guardian may not knowingly permit or authorize his or her child under age 16 to operate an ATV in violation of state or local laws. An ATV owner, or another person in possession of an ATV, may not knowingly permit or authorize any person under age 16 to operate an ATV in violation of any state or local law."

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/broch/c29.htm

Thanks for the link to the DMV rules. Had no idea this thing was totally illegal anywhere but off in a dirt field or track in the boondocks...and only with a license or permit for the driver, at that.

So yeah, ditto on the call 311 option.

One question: Where do pink mini Hummer kiddie SUV's fit in?

Oh whoops, wrong board.



*runs away

pokersloper wrote: dirt bike was still being ridden at 11pm, past our window, up the sidewalk, back and forth.

On the sidewalk?

You can add 'reckless endangerment' (a criminal offense) to the litany of moving violations.

Er, wow. This is totally messed up, and only getting worse.

Perhaps you could put a bow on top of the squad car, as a gift to the rest of the neighborhood.

so you just called the cops on your neighbors without ever talking to them about it?

mr. met wrote: so you just called the cops on your neighbors without ever talking to them about it?

I'm pretty sure the kind of people who do this (so much noise/danger in this setting) do not respond well to even the nicest words about it. It sounds like eventually they will get in trouble and no matter who reports them, they will likely blame the person that spoke with them in person. I am all for talking to neighbors about small issues but some situations require a different approach.

pokersloper wrote: mr. met wrote,

"so you just called the cops on your neighbors without ever talking to them about it?"

So wait, you don't think I am a hero?

You didn't try to talk to these ten year olds as they whizzed up and down your sidewalk on motorbikes? My God, what's happened to civility?

Here's how you should've handled it: you should have stripped down to your underpants, and laid down on the sidewalk in front of your building holding a photocopy of the Motor Vehicle Codes over your face. Once the kids' motorbikes ceased working because your entrails were all tangled up in their spokes, they would finally realize how careless and selfish they'd been, and they would henceforth devote their lives to saving the planet, (or at least getting a dedicated dirt bike lane added to the Prospect Park roadway).