Grand Rapids neighbors worried by reckless motorbike tricks
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan (WOOD) – Scenes of motorcycles conquering streets and even sidewalks are becoming increasingly common in downtown Grand Rapids, worrying local residents saying it is dangerous.
“At some point someone will be injured or killed, and it’s only a matter of time,” said Chi Benedict, a crime prevention specialist for the West Grand Neighborhood Association.
Efforts are being made to stop it, but no good solutions so far. Even if people call the police, when the officers get to where they were last seen, the bikes will be gone.
Videos posted online by members of the bike groups show riders driving multiple lanes and doing wheelies or other tricks.
“I watch them stand on a seat, walking down the street, and I’m afraid they’ll fall and kill themselves,” said Benedict. “As a driver, I don’t want to be the person behind you who might run you over in an accident.”
Sometimes drivers stop in the middle of the road because of burnouts. Sometimes they drive on the sidewalk just inches away from pedestrians.
The organized rides – mostly in the city center or on the west side of Grand Rapids – are advertised on Facebook shortly before the start to prevent the police from catching up.
Affected people look for solutions. They met with Grand Rapids police on Monday to discuss the problem. Videos help, according to the GRPD, but many of the drivers wear helmets that hide their identities. Hence, it is difficult to find out who is driving unless you catch up with them.
“It really annoys me because we have a lot of motorcyclists who get injured for doing the right thing … they all have to learn to share the road and sidewalks and obey the laws so no one is injured or killed. “Said Benedict.
News 8 asked some of the bike groups for a comment on Monday. They either did not answer or declined to be interviewed.
There is another one virtual meeting on the matter planned for Wednesday 5:30 p.m.
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