Mayor Walsh files ordinance addressing disruptive use of recreational vehicles

Mayor Martin J. Walsh has filed an ordinance to address the hazardous operation and storage of recreational vehicles and motorized conveyances.

"We are committed to creating safer streets for our officers and for our residents and visitors," said Mayor Walsh. "I look forward to working with the City Council to pass this ordinance, and end the inappropriate and dangerous use of recreational vehicles to better protect our communities."

If approved by the Boston City Council, these regulations would take effect immediately. The ordinance prohibits a person from engaging in hazardous operation of a motorized conveyance, including recreational vehicles, upon any public space in the City of Boston. Prohibited stunt or truck riding includes, but is not limited to, riding with the front, side or rear wheels raised from the surface of the road or ground, riding with a passenger's feet or knees planted on the seat, and operating a vehicle with a passenger riding on the handle bars. According to this ordinance, officers are allowed to issue immediate fines for a violation  and to impound the vehicle pending compliance.

"Recreational vehicles have become both a nuisance on our neighborhoods disrupting the quality of life and genuine public safety hazard," said Boston City Councilor Stephen Murphy. "This ordinance, filed by Mayor Walsh, will go a long way to giving the Boston Police Department the necessary tools to keep the public safe and streets peaceful in the City of Boston."

The ordinance also addresses instances when groups of riders congregate on a property without the property owner's knowledge or approval or cause a disruption to nearby tenants, by requiring written permission to operate, maintain or possess a recreational vehicle on someone else's property. Additionally, the ordinance bans a person from placing or storing more than one unregistered recreational vehicle upon public or private land.

A recreational vehicle includes, but is not limited to, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, dirt bikes and recreation utility vehicles. Any person found in violation would be fined $250 for the first offense and $300 for a second or subsequent offense.