Miami-Dade County is working on a solution to move ATVs and motorcyclists off the streets – NBC 6 South Florida

A movement is underway that could take ATV and motorcycle riders off the streets and provide them with a safe place for their stunts.

It’s a possible solution to the dangers and headaches we’ve seen associated with biker mobs that sometimes take over the streets and highways. It would be music to the ears of thousands of South Florida riders, and it would also be a delight for many motorcyclists.

“Honestly, if we had a place to ride and things like that, then I think things would be a lot better,” said one rider, who asked to remain anonymous.

A runner and his band did something that rarely happens and allowed strangers – in this case, NBC 6 – into their tight-knit unit.

The man told NBC 6 they were misunderstood.

“They try to make it look like we’re trying to cause trouble, but we’re actually trying to escape the trouble,” the pilot said.

“They try to give us a different picture of life on a bike as if it’s wrong to ride – we have guns and stuff – but we ride to forget everything that’s going on in the world,” another said. man.

What started as a concern for police and drivers over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend has now multiplied to see packs of ATVs and dirt bikes popping up almost at any time.

“Like everyone wanted to get together, like, driving down the street, you just see people having fun together. It makes you want to go out and have fun. So get out your own bike and have fun,” the first rider said.

The danger grew as the tension between the platoon members and the drivers grew. In October, a horseman was shot and killed in Broward County. Three weeks ago, a motorcyclist was also shot dead and another was injured.

“It’s dangerous, but most of the time we try to do things in order, like slowing down traffic. We try to get people through and things like that,” said one pilot. “Sometimes it’s the pilots, most of the time they’re really impatient, sometimes we try to get out of the way and they insist on carrying on. “

For those driving while the riders are away, the group asks motorists to be patient.

“It will be done. We’ll pass in a few minutes. It won’t be that long. So just be a little patient,” the pilot said. “We understand we’re causing a problem on your end, but we’ll be there. We’re not trying to hurt anyone, not having any accidents, we’re trying to make sure everyone gets home safely. “

Riders said what they really need are spaces like big empty lots so they can all ride in large numbers. They said it would keep many of them off the streets.

“It’s not supposed to be legal, but there’s really no place to really ride them,” he said.

NBC 6 has learned that there is a movement underway to find a solution – meetings that can lead to giving riders a location and safer roads for drivers.

Miami Dade Police Acting Superintendent George Perez told NBC 6 in a statement, “We have been successful in establishing contact with the organizer who is requesting a meeting with stakeholders to determine the best way to organize motorcycle activities in Miami-Dade County. Our staff coordinates with the Community Relations Council and a collective of other entities so that we may be able to assist the organizer.

“If they had more places where we could be free and open, I guarantee you there would be fewer people on the streets and all because there are more places to go,” said the man. “We really don’t have anywhere to go. We try to find some ground, they fire us. So it’s like where do you want us to go?”

“It’s not really anywhere to ride like MX and dirt and we find little places like this to hang out, but there are so many of us that we just can’t stay in one place,” said the second man. the police, you know, it’s illegal, they’re probably kidding us or something. So we’ve taken to the streets and we’re trying to keep it as safe and as kosher as possible.”

This group says what they are doing is a movement and that a safe and legal place to ride would help.

“We’re getting together. You feel me? People of different races,” the second runner said. “We’re not judging. We’re trying to keep all this violence and stuff to a minimum, even though we can’t control everyone’s minds.”

The county says it will keep NBC 6 updated as the effort progresses. But they will continue because the runners are ready to accept the danger.

“I don’t think it’s dangerous. I think you should take the safety precautions before doing things like this. There’s a lot of stuff that you would say is dangerous when another person would say it’s a daily grind,” the second runner said. “I feel like it makes the community a lot safer. Young people watch us… They grow up watching us ride our bikes, and they see that’s all we do and we have fun and we love it. So that’s what they want to do and we encourage them to stay in school.

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