UPDATED: Man Says Gang of ATVs Accosted Him on East Side Streets and Smashed His Car

UPDATED: Man Says Gang of ATVs Accosted Him on East Side Streets and Smashed His Car

A man says he was accosted by a group of all-terrain dirt bikes on the East Side of Providence on Friday — and that they damaged his car.

The use of off-road vehicles is illegal on city streets and has continued to plague motorists and pedestrians for years. 

In 2017, GoLocalProv reported that under Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza's administration, Providence police officers were ordered by the command of the Providence Police Department not to enforce traffic laws as they related to gangs of ATVs - which are not legally allowed on city streets - and motorbikes.

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By 2020, members of the Providence City Council began to publicly criticize the city's no chase policy.

City Councilor Michael Correia said the city’s policy — and rampant ATV and bike gangs — are a “black eye” on Providence. 

“I have witnessed myself multiple dirt bikes and ATVs taking over the roads. I see them gassing up and I see officers drive right by them. That would be a great opportunity to get them while they’re filling up with fuel to take them off the roads,” said Correia. “I see juveniles — 14, 15 years old in my ward that I know, driving around on motorbikes with no plates, and police drive right by them, even if they’re sitting outside a bodega.”

“It hurts the quality of life for the city of Providence — it gives us a bad reputation,” said Correia. “This is all over social media — how they’re terrorizing streets. It’s a bad black eye for the city of Providence. “

Over the past five years, there have been hundreds of reports of violence, accidents, and other violations caused by ATV gangs in the city.

One of the most high-profile incidents was when a mother was dragged out of her car by a gang of ATV riders and beaten in front of a child.

This year, Elorza reversed his policy and promised strict enforcement. 

In March, Elorza and Providence Police and public safety officials held a press conference to send a message to ATV and dirt bike riders -- which are illegal to operate on city streets. 

"Don't come, don't ride your ATVs on our streets," said Elorza. "If you do, there will be consequences."

About Friday's Incident 

“I pulled out of Yama Fuji on the East Side, and this group of about 5 or 6 dirt bikes without license plates pulled up behind [and] alongside me and started weaving in and out, pulling in front and forcing me over," said Jan Bindas of the beginning of the incident on Friday that started on North Main Street. 

Bindas said he then turned onto Doyle Avenue — and that the altercation escalated from there. 

“When I came to a stop sign one, of them drove right into my car,” he continued. “They thought it would be fun to kick my side-view mirror off.  As I raced through the East Side, they continued to harass me and nearly hit other vehicles — Mercedes, BMWs, etc. One or two of them threw rocks at my vehicle breaking my rear window and hitting me in the back.”

Bindas said that he stopped his vehicle and confronted the riders — and then went on to report the incident to the police. 

“This is such a common occurrence a police report wasn't even taken as it was a very busy night in Providence,” Bindas added, who said he was told he could come back the next day and talk to a detective.

Bindas added that “enough is enough” — and called on Elorza and Governor Dan McKee to do something to finally address the issue.