A Pennsylvania bill is moving through the state legislature that would let cities set their own rules for off-road vehicles on public streets. The measure targets dirt bikes and ATVs that are not street legal but are ridden in urban areas anyway. House Bill 2337 was sponsored by State Rep. Ed Neilson, a Democrat from Philadelphia. It unanimously passed a Pennsylvania State House committee on Monday. The bill would remove state preemption for first-, second-, and third-class cities. That means cities like Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York could pass their own ordinances with steeper fines and penalties for off-road vehicles on city streets.
What the Bill Does
Under current state law, the maximum fine for riding an off-road vehicle on a city street is $200 for a first offense and $300 for subsequent offenses. Police can also seek forfeiture, but only when the vehicle is actively being operated. If this bill becomes law, cities could increase those fines. They could also allow police to confiscate vehicles after the fact if they have proof that the vehicle was driven on a public street. Rep. Ed Neilson says the goal is to give law enforcement more tools to deal with the problem. “My hope with this bill is to further assist law enforcement officers with curbing the improper use of these vehicles on busy community streets and prevent the endangering of citizens in the process,” Neilson said.
The Problem Police Face
Sgt. Brandon Braughler of the Harrisburg Bureau of Police traffic unit has investigated off-road vehicle incidents in the city. He says the behavior is a safety issue. “Any day it gets nice out you’re going to see them out ripping around, and it’s a huge safety issue for us and the public,” Braughler said. Packs of riders, sometimes dozens strong, weave through traffic and ignore stop signs. When police try to respond, the groups scatter. Officers generally will not pursue because it is too dangerous. One major challenge is identification. Because these bikes and ATVs were never registered, police cannot trace ownership through a plate number. They have to observe and document before they can act.
Support and Next Steps
Rep. Patty Kim and Rep. Dave Madsen, both Dauphin County Democrats whose districts cover parts of Harrisburg, support the bill. They say they have received constituent complaints and seen the problem firsthand. The bill now heads to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration. If it passes there, cities across Pennsylvania would gain new authority to address illegal off-road vehicle use on their streets.