Proposed Ordinance Would Ban Use of Recreational Vehicles in Boston

Photo Credit: Boston Police Dept.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has filed an ordinance to address the hazardous operation and storage of recreational vehicles and motorized conveyances throughout the city.

“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.”

The proposed regulations would take effect immediately if approved by the Boston City Council.

The mayor’s office says “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.”

The following video depicts the exact behavior in which the mayor is looking to outlaw:

Police officers would be allowed to issue immediate fines for a violation. They would additionally be allowed to impound the vehicle pending compliance, according to Walsh’s proposal.

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.”

According to the mayor’s office, 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.