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Dirt bikers, ATVers roar down Centre Street in West Roxbury
By adamg on Mon, 05/17/2021 - 2:41pm
West Roxbury residents couldn't help but notice the ad-hoc procession down Centre, Spring and Baker streets towards VFW Parkway yesterday afternoon.
Kerry Castor of the West Roxbury Civic and Improvement Association was outraged:
They were extremely loud and were doing all kinds of tricks with the motor bikes and did not care when drivers were honking at them as they almost caused a few accidents. Some innocent person is going to get hurt or worse killed with these people that think they own the roads, parks and anywhere else want to ride.
We are asking politicians and public safety directors of this city to get a better handle on this right now or else it’s going to be a long, hot, noisy and dangerous environment that we live in! Nobody deserves to live like this! This is affecting our quality of life! This is unacceptable.
Capt. Darrin Greeley of District E-5 says that, yes, he's aware of the issue. He says that citywide, BPD wrote out "hundreds of motor-vehicle citations" and seized a dozen ATVs and dirt bikes, and that residents should report bad road behavior to the BPD anonymous tip line at 800-494-TIPS - and contact their elected city officials.
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Comments
Sounds like
Sounds a lot like it is Kerry Castor who thinks they own the roads.
West Roxbury has such a problem sharing public roads with literally anything other than a 02132-registered 4-door vehicle.
That said
If you've read other articles on this website, you'd know that people in other neighborhoods are annoyed with the ad hoc dirt bike parades that disregard motor vehicle laws.
And if you've read other
And if you've read other articles on this website, you'd know that this is not the only time that WRCIA has a problem with thinking they own Centre Street.
If you think that's the issue here
You're tone deaf from all that time tooling around Boston on your ATV.
ATV's
Are quiet vehicles and don't have an agenda to disrupt peaceful people and arent' suckign our taxes out to you can fuck all you want and get on welfare
Lol wut
Lol wut
You Win
The above comment deserves to be memorialized in the UHub HoF
Seriously?
Seriously DS? You're blaming the messenger?!?
Does ANYONE in Boston not think illegal & uninsured dirt bikes & ATVs aren't a serious problem???
Mark me down in the "People
Mark me down in the "People riding dirt bikes is not a serious problem" column.
You are aware
You are aware they the reason for an actual death on Truman last summer right? It's not just West Rox that is fed up, it's pretty much all of Boston!
It's not just the "riding of dirtbikes"-- they are literally holding up traffic to let their buddies fly through red lights in Cleary square. Not that they have any actual concern for other peoples time. They weave in and out of traffic, don't obey the rules of the road, are not registered.
If you want to be treated like a car, respected like one--ACT like one, pay the same fees WE pay, obey the same laws we do.
Mark me down in the "I think
Mark me down in the "I think people who claim that this doesn't bother them are posturing" column.
To be clear, I'm not talking about you specifically.
But I am referring to this bemusing sensibility that seems to be over-represented on these boards. Can't we be both humanists and not want to put up with this nonsense?
I think people that claim that this doesn't bother them are being self-consciously (or self-unconsciously) high-minded, but in a surprising way that elevates these vilde chayes.
I mean, "C'mon man!"
I’ll start being bothered by
I’ll start being bothered by kids on dirt bikes and ATVs when adults in motor vehicles stop speeding, texting and harassing anyone in their way.
The kids on regular bikes can do wheelies down my street all day long. 3 cheers to them.
So
You are utterly unconcerned that these parades ignore all motor vehicle laws, run red lights at will, drive the wrong way up one way streets, and, oh, give a rat's behind about pedestrians?
The enemy of my enemy is my
The enemy of my enemy is my friend
hm
sounds exactly like cars, imo
um
No.
I'm not going to say that all drivers are great, or even that I obey all traffic laws all the time, but I can say that I've never seen a motor vehicle go straight into an intersection long after they had a red light with the sole purpose being to stop the cars that have the green light. I've also never seen a car drive one the wrong side of the median on Columbia Road. I've seen dirt bikers do things like this constantly.
You're always so careful with the specifics
So you HAVE seen vehicles go straight into an intersection long after they had a red, right? And you were able to read their minds to know that wasn't their sole purpose? I mean come on, you've absolutely seen motorists blocking the box and delaying others that have the green light.
But certainly you've seen a car drive the on the wrong side of a median that WASN'T Columbia Road, right?
555-come-on-now
Oh, brother
Why are you defending the lawlessness of the dirt bikers? I get it. I get it. Four wheels bad, two wheels good. But you do realize that they are using internal combustion engines and exceeding the city's 25 MPH speed limit when they do what they do that drives most people nuts?
You give bicycle advocates a bad name, by the way.
Reading comprehension
Never defended the lawlessness, just calling out your usual BS.
Nice deflection though but well wide of the net!
I've seen car drivers do both
I've seen car drivers do both of those things, multiple times. I can't comment as to the intended purpose of the former, however.
don’t worry
neither can he
See: whataboutism
See: whataboutism
The whataboutism is kids on bikes being ...
... whatabouted by defenders of truck and car drivers who can’t admit they are the worse problem. Do what I say not what I do is their mindset.
Maybe that’s what you meant. I couldn’t tell.
I think you could tell just
I think you could tell just fine what I meant.
BenHa
It’s called virtue signaling. You are 100% right though.
Yes, indeed. What's funny
Yes, indeed. What's funny about this example of folks purporting to not be bothered is that (I think) it involves actively subverting one's own visceral, automatic reaction.
I mean, many of these ATV-ers are being deliberately antisocial. They are trying to disrupt you and hamming for attention. To maintain that you're blithely undisturbed is just odd. It's the elevation of an ideological bent over your own feelings.
Hey, maybe some people really don't care. But I'd bet those same people don't show as much equanimity in every other arena. In short, they're not monks. And if they're not monks, then why are they so insistent on telling you that this particular annoyance doesn't annoy them in the least.
Yes, indeed. What's funny
this isn’t anything weird or novel, humans are taught to subvert the lizard brain from early childhood.
maybe quit projecting? it’s equally possible that they just want to ride their shit outside and don’t really give a fuck about you or what you think. probably not great in a social context, but it’s much easier to stay sane when you aren’t thinking of their actions as an affront to you personally.
C’mon.
C’mon.
Riding on the wrong side of the road. Running red lights. Taking up BOTH lanes. Yes, I’m sure it’s fun. I’m also pretty sure part of the fun is in the F-U.
How do I know this? I’m a human being....and it’s obvious.
Don’t be obtuse, dude.
Whenever I see kids riding
Whenever I see kids riding dirt bikes down the street, my initial reaction is literally "Hell yeah, that looks fun as hell." Different strokes for different folks I guess. But if this is a major concern in your life, then you're in pretty good shape.
.
.
Yup
I'm in the "it's a minor nuisance" camp. Yeah I find them loud and annoying but that doesn't really distinguish them from anyone else around these parts.
Seconded, I enjoy the
Seconded, I enjoy the spontaneous parades of youth that last all of 30 seconds randomly through the day & night, more so when I am outside to watch.
I believe this will be used as another reason to get children in the system for non-violent offenses instead of using the opportunity to steer them towards safe places to do this hobby like when I used to visit Wareham that also had a lot of dirt bikes but had trails.
It's a fun hobby, other cities have embraced them and created commerce around it, which could lead to more local businesses but nah, lets ticket and confiscate. *low-energy jerking motion*
I am right to assume that
Am I correct in my assumption that neither you nor ZachAndTired live near Franklin Park or Franklin Field where these parades are not so spontaneous? -like hours at the time on some weekends. Not to mention the loud speaker contests. There is this common saying that "people will get killed". Well, it happened at least once last summer when one of these riders rammed at full speed into a not-so-visible gate at Franklin Park. The Boston Park commissioner reported on that at the public meeting a couple of weeks ago. Interesting how it seems like this was kept under cover when it happened. No idea of how many of these guys end up in the hospital since it's not likely that someone is going to get driven to the emergency room with broken bones and say "I was just doing a wheelie on my dirt bike at 40 mph on Seaver St and went though a red light, that's why I got hit".
I think that people who are welcoming to this type of behavior should start a group along the lines of "Friends of the Boston Dirt Bikers". They could provide their home address where their dirt bike riding friends could practice their tricks on their city block without getting bothered. To make it more fun, they could invite the loud cars and street-fireworks aficionados too. Some of their neighbors may not be on board with it but who cares. A fund to cover the damage caused by these uninsured riders and the victims of their hit and runs (also happened in Franklin Park recently) would be another nice perk so that the rest of us don't need to pay for it.
Both sides can be shitty, you
Both sides can be shitty, you know. Like, dirtbikes suck AND west roxbury folks can also suck. The world is a complex place.
Dirtbags on dirtbikes
They are plaguing other areas now, too. Seems Boston isn't big enough. Out here in the burbs (yet closer to central Boston than West Rox by about 4 miles) I'm hearing nonstop glorified mower noise, matched only by drag racing in the wee hours.
In case you think this is confined to Boston or North America, imagine my surprise upon seeing and hearing a similar "parade" in Picadilly Circus in London?
The guys in that picture at
The guys in that picture at least appear to be following traffic rules- saw a few bikers by Union Square in Somerville Saturday doing wheelies going the wrong way down Prospect Street and ignoring traffic/ signals and almost running into pedestrians
Hoo boy
I hate to think about how outraged Kerry will be when she hears about the vehicles that actually kill people on a regular basis in Boston. (Hint: they have more than two wheels)
I love the girl too fly to
I love the girl too fly to wear a helmet.
Where are the loving parents of BLM
They seeem to want love an joy in the world but let their animals run wild. Was walking my dog yesterday in another neighborhood and some animal was blasting his music so loud the bark was coming off the trees. I stopped and looked at what he was going and gave me the finger. Respect goes both ways.
If Black Lives Matter, what are they going to stop the black on black killings?
Its easier to march that to look at yourselves.
Was it hard to type this with your klan hood on?
Was it hard to type this with your klan hood on?
nice but
Did you answer the questions? Where is the call for BLM to address black on black shootings or did your late spill on you and you can't type?
this has been asked and answered about a kajillion times
it’s on you for not knowing the answer to this question
Re-read my comment
And tell me what was Clan on not seeking respect - or do they get some kind of "pass?" and if you disagree you are racist?
You’re definitely from the
You’re definitely from the east Boston open discussion board
if not a klan hood, some
if not a klan hood, some fucked up tennis shoes, Sox hat and cargo shorts. The exact type of translucent person who gives Boston is infamous racist stamp.
LOL
Are you like 20?
.
.
.
.
"some animal"
Wow, usually you cowards are pretty careful with your words and utilize dog whistle phrases but nope you just had to come right out with the racist garbage.
You live a sad life.
Worry about your own community
Why is it that people like you love to talk about us black folks but never talk about all of the white communities and their problem with child molesters? Oh let me guess you are going to say that there are more white people than any other race bs. Fyi I would rather kill another black man before i touch a child. So instead of worrying about what goes on in black neighborhoods, worry about what's going on in your neighborhood. Actually you might even be one of the ones that are hurting these innocent children.
Who the hell
Gave Marty a cell phone for his burner uhub account ?
Pretty simple solution
When the animal comes home with his illegal vehicle the neighbor should call the police. But NOOOOOO, that's snitching right? Where are the parents? Noplace because there is only ONE and she popped out as many as she could to get the welfare money right?
There is a conversation to be
There is a conversation to be had here, but not with trolls who are trolling just to be trolley and sabotage the exchange. So go fuck yerself.
So roll the conversation along - all ears
And your comments are convincing
Let me help break civilization for you
1. I choose to get a dog
2. I make sure my dog doesn't bite people
3. If my dog bites someone I make damn sure my dog is under control
4. I dont let my dog run wild up and down the streets if he can't control himself
5. I don't blame my country/state/cityneighborhold when my dog runs wild because I didn't control him and he bites people.
6. If I can't control my dog I take appropriate action
7. I don't ignore my dog's issue and continue to have him bite people
8. I don't start a neighborhood group claiming my run wild dog was targeted.
9. I stop having dogs ones I until I can get the first one under control.
10. I look at myself as the problem and don't blame everyone else for my lack or parenting skills.
I'd like to give you an assignment.
Write a five paragraph essay (they type you learned about in fourth grade) that digs into the logic fallacy of your choice with your above argument. Or, if you can't come up with one, just write about how it's extremely offensive, reductive, and very much part of the problem to use animals as a metaphor for a race.
You forgot the part
about how to properly use a dog whistle.
Win
First comment to actually make me laugh. I tip my hat to you, sir.
Kinda Mad Max-ish
Kind if makes me feels like I'm in a Mad Max movie. Sooner or later someone is probably gonna lose it like Michael Douglas in "Falling Down". Until then, just try to find a way to laugh and enjoy it. Darwinism at it's finest. Some people are just born as crazy daredevils. They just gotta burn it quick. They couldn't care less what I think, so I don't bother offering.
Maybe Centre St could benefit from a road diet
Certainly reducing travel lanes and implementing some safe/slow streets here would go a long way to curbing unsafe driving, by all forms of vehicles and not just dirt bikes and ATVs.
Or maybe we need to ban all motor vehicles along this stretch until BPD and the City have a chance to figure out whats going on here.
Rich coming from this group, the lack of self-awareness is almost palpable.
Certainly reducing travel
Sure!
The dirt bike/ATV/minibike set ignores red lights, blocks traffic, passes illegally, weaves in and out of traffic, stunt rides on the road, etc... I'm positive they'll respect reduced travel lanes and other traffic calming measures.
...eyeroll...
That's the thing about speed bumps
Kinda have to respect the laws of physics there.
They put in speed humps ...
... nowadays. Because of the the laws of physics and speeders. Approved by fire departments and police departments who have done the research on safe and quick access for emergency vehicles.
Makes sense to me. These guys
Makes sense to me. These guys aren't really interested in cruising down narrow streets. I don't think I've ever seen them on the sidewalk. Bump outs and more Pedestrian crossing would slow all the traffic and make less of a big appealing open road there.
Seems like common sense. People abusing the road, give them less road.
maybe we need to ban all
I can't even tell if this is legitimate support or satirizing the Trump so called "Muslim ban."
Young and carefree
I remember being young and probably would have done something like this.....except my parents wouldn't have allowed me to own a dirt bike and rude it unsupervised. Can someone check into these kids parents, and why they are OK with this?
One does not simple have
One does not simple have “parents”
One sometimes is lucky to have “parent”
Carelessness
To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.
Such an "Earnest" response.
Really Wilde.
You're assuming they're ghetto kids
So are others here based on the comments. When the staties got lucky and penned the group in between the barriers from 93 south to Mass Ave the arrest records showed otherwise. When I've seen them go past me close my eyes tell me the same thing about their ages.
https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2018/02/26/i-93-dirt-bike-atv-arrest/