Ok. When I was a kid, my friends and I did our share of illegal riding. But, we would usually sneak the bikes to the nearest trails, and we could usually stay out of trouble that way. Once in a great while, an officer would see us on the way to or from the riding spots, and tell us to "get off and walk it home" and we would. Never did we ride in the street and act like complete idiots. We had 3 spots within reasonable distances from our houses so I guess we were lucky.
I live in Baltimore, Maryland (County, that is). I was watching a news broadcast the other night, and it showed a group of about a dozen or so kids on dirt bikes doing wheelies down the city streets, and in and out of traffic. The film was shot from a helicopter. At one point, they came up behind a police car and rode there for quite a while. The officer did nothing. The cheif of police was then shown on camera saying that the officer acted properly, because a chase is what these kids wanted, and every time they chase one, it ends in tragedy. There was, a few years back, an incident where 2 riders died in such a chase.
Ok. I understand the need to protect public safety. I know why the police dont want to chase these idiots. These turkeys would wind up causing accidents, and hurting innocent people. I know that Baltimore has a policy banning high speed chases in the city.
But, my god. Im starting to think that instead of loading up my van, driving an hour and a half and paying $30 to ride my dirt bike, I will simply roll it across the city line and have a ball! I could probably get some good riding in at Patterson park, or perhaps one of the city golf courses!
It just makes me sick. I guess if I was gonna rob a bank, Id use a dirt bike, since they wouldnt chase me eh?
Also, as I understand it, Baltimore has OUTLAWED dirt bikes.(IN the City) as well as mopeds and 50cc scooters. I am not clear on the dirt bike law. I suppose, at the least, it makes riding them in the city illegal. Just like gun laws, it doesnt matter. Criminals and idiots dont care about the law. Simple as that. Banning them didnt help as Ive seen on the news now.
THe cheif of police suggested that if anybody knows where people are storing dirt bikes, to call 911.
I live in Baltimore, Maryland (County, that is). I was watching a news broadcast the other night, and it showed a group of about a dozen or so kids on dirt bikes doing wheelies down the city streets, and in and out of traffic. The film was shot from a helicopter. At one point, they came up behind a police car and rode there for quite a while. The officer did nothing. The cheif of police was then shown on camera saying that the officer acted properly, because a chase is what these kids wanted, and every time they chase one, it ends in tragedy. There was, a few years back, an incident where 2 riders died in such a chase.
Ok. I understand the need to protect public safety. I know why the police dont want to chase these idiots. These turkeys would wind up causing accidents, and hurting innocent people. I know that Baltimore has a policy banning high speed chases in the city.
But, my god. Im starting to think that instead of loading up my van, driving an hour and a half and paying $30 to ride my dirt bike, I will simply roll it across the city line and have a ball! I could probably get some good riding in at Patterson park, or perhaps one of the city golf courses!
It just makes me sick. I guess if I was gonna rob a bank, Id use a dirt bike, since they wouldnt chase me eh?
Also, as I understand it, Baltimore has OUTLAWED dirt bikes.(IN the City) as well as mopeds and 50cc scooters. I am not clear on the dirt bike law. I suppose, at the least, it makes riding them in the city illegal. Just like gun laws, it doesnt matter. Criminals and idiots dont care about the law. Simple as that. Banning them didnt help as Ive seen on the news now.
THe cheif of police suggested that if anybody knows where people are storing dirt bikes, to call 911.
