Schenectady confronting problem dirt bikers, ATV riders

Task force could seek solution, according to city council member

Days after a Schenectady man injured a city police officer by hitting him with an ATV, a City Council member wants to create a task force to come up with solutions to what has proven to be a vexing problem in this community and many other places across the Capital Region.

Councilwoman Karen Zalewski-wildzunas said during Monday’s virtual meeting that she planned to provide more details at the upcoming council committee meeting “so that we can have a clear cut plan on how to deal with this issue.”

The Democrat is hopeful that city leaders can find ways to control the problem before the nice weather arrives and the dangerous driving of some ATV riders and dirt bikers on city streets gets out of hand.

“This is a quality of life issue, and we need to address it, so I’m looking forward to meeting with my law enforcement partners to ensure that we get some good legislation going and a plan to address it,” she said.

Last year, a 30-year-old man died after riding the wrong way down a one-way street in Schenectady and another daredevil filmed himself riding his bike through a Price Chopper, then posted the footage online.

Over the weekend, Schenectady police arrested Andrew Leblanc after he drove an ATV into the officer while trying to get away.

On Saturday police responded to the Lake Boulevard area for a call of ATVS being driven erratically.

It was then that the ATV riders sped away and the officer was hit.

The 22-year-old Leblanc, who was released on bail Sunday, was charged with felony assault and misdemeanor reckless endangerment.

The injured Schenectady police officer is out of the hospital.

Albany is looking at legislation to increase the cost to recover an impounded dirt bike or ATV to $3,000 in an attempt to discourage riders from using city’s streets.

Right now, that fee is $650.

The problem of offroad vehicles on Albany streets has become a year-round issue. Last winter, groups of riders swarmed cars waiting to see the Capital Lights in the Park displays.

Earlier this month, a group of riders in Albany ran a red light at the intersection of Lark Street and Hudson Avenue and one ATV slammed into the side of a school bus. Two employees on the bus were injured. The rider fled before officers arrived.

Police departments generally do not pursue off-road vehicle riders unless they’ve committed serious crimes over concerns about liability if the riders crash. And riders who are stopped are typically issued traffic tickets and have their vehicles confiscated. Albany police have seized five vehicles this year.

The department also has drones it can use to track riders.

Schenectady City Council member John Polimeni mentioned that there have already been numerous complaints about errant bike and ATV operators from most neighborhoods and complaints about ATV riders weaving through traffic at about 50 mph along Guilderland Avenue.

“It’s not only dangerous for the person riding the ATV and dirt bike, but for pedestrians as well as other vehicles,” Polimeni said.