Elorza's Push for Legislation to Legalize ATVs on City Streets Draws Strong Reaction

Elorza's Push for Legislation to Legalize ATVs on City Streets Draws Strong Reaction

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza's push for state legislation that will allow cities such as Providence to be able to create their own regulatory structure to allow off-road bikes, ATVs and four-wheelers to be permitted is drawing strong reaction from community and elected officials. 

Gangs of ATVs and off-road motorbikes have been a major public safety problem in Providence -- riders have died and there have been numerous accidents.

A community meeting held on a city Zoom account this week was not a city-sponsored event, but rather an event publicized and hosted by Brad VanDerStad with the Downtown Hospitality Group. 

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Nearly a dozen people spoke out on the issue, including downtown residents -- as well as people from Smith Hill and the East Side.

Janice Luongo, who lives on Orms Street close to the State House, said she has lived in the city all her life. 

"Last summer was the worst summer of my life," she said, of the roving ATV and bike groups. 

"This is beyond dirt bikes. These are vehicles that can maim or kill people — I posted a picture when 30 ATVs and motorcycles were jumping the curb and came about an inch of crashing into me," said Luongo. "I watched them hit a car. It is scary — it is every day, all night."

 

Elorza’s Legislation

Elorza said in a statement to GoLocal, “After several meetings with members of the dirt bike and ATV rider community, my public safety leaders and I decided to pursue state legislation that would resolve some of the challenges we are facing. As currently operated, ATV's and other illegal vehicles pose a danger to those who operate them as well as other drivers and residents.”

“I am interested in exploring enabling legislation that would allow cities and towns to require owners who operate these vehicles to register them, purchase insurance, and make necessary modifications such as turn signals, side mirrors and mufflers to make them safer and quieter. All traffic laws and other regulations would of course still apply to these vehicles and those who drive them in our City,” Elorza added.

 

Members of the City Council Criticize Elorza Plan

Councilwoman Helen Anthony said the issue of ATVs and off-road bikes on city streets "has been an absolute utter disaster."

"I’ve had letters from people who have been pushed off their bikes on Blackstone Boulevard. I do not think ATVs should be allowed on the street — I would never support them to operate on the streets. I’d maybe explore the idea of some park they could go to [but] they would have to trailer them," said Anthony. 

"I didn’t realize it was up at the State House, that it would allow municipalities to make up their own rules. Say East Providence says we won’t allow them, and they come into Providence — there’s an inconsistency. I’m not supportive of it [being addressed] at the State House," said Anthony of Elorza's anticipated proposal. 

"I have a lot of concerns with this legislation," said Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune, who spoke to the incident in 2018 when a car flipped over on North Main Street close to her house by Gregg's Restaurant, that had been drag racing with an ATV.

"I agree there should perhaps be a designated place for riding — it is a form of recreation -- [but] they should not be on the main roads and speeding with traffic," said LaFortune. "Technically the police can’t chase them. I hope that the Mayor pulls [this], it’s problematic and opens the door to major concerns. It's not just the East Side, it’s the whole city. It’s dangerous for everyone. Some of our streets are really narrow. This is about maintaining safe streets for everyone."

Councilman John Goncalves spoke to the city placing speed bumps in India Point to try and stop drag racing.

"We got the speed bumps in India Point quickly, but it’s a pervasive issue. It’s something we need to be more aggressive on," he said. "Dirt bikes and ATVs shouldn’t be on our streets.  It’s a huge issue — we need to be more proactive. We don’t want to see what we saw in previous summers to happen again this summer. It’s abysmal and we need to respond accordingly."

The Downtown Hospitality Group is expected to send a formal letter of recommendations to Elorza shortly.