LYNN — The city wants to put more teeth in the rules governing motorized bicycles and other conveyance vehicles.
Toward that end, the City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved changes to existing ordinances involving heftier fines for violating laws.
The proposal, drafted by the city, now faces a public hearing, which is scheduled for May 10 at City Hall.
In advance of Tuesday’s meeting, the city drafted a six-page list of definitions, rules and penalties for the council to consider. It passed muster with very little difficulty.
Assistant City Solicitor James Lamanna and Police Chief Christopher Reddy spoke for the city.
“We believe the best solution to the problem (of the increasing boldness of drivers of motorized bicycles, scooters and other small conveyance vehicles) is bigger fines,” Reddy said. “Hit them in their pocketbooks. We also believe that the ability to seize and hold vehicles until these fines are paid will be a big help too.”
Complaints about drivers of these vehicles being more than just nuisances have echoed throughout the city.
“They are terrors,” said Ward 2 Councilor Rick Starbard. “I’ve had people actually move out of neighborhoods because of them.”
Of particular concern are mopeds, motorized scooters, mini motorcycles, pocket bikes, motorized skateboards and recreating vehicles.
Lamanna said that the city wanted to get aggressive in dealing with the problem of drivers of these vehicles weaving in and out of traffic, doing wheelies in the middle of traffic or pedestrian walkways, and other, similar, infractions. However, several councilors felt that some of the proposed penalties, most notably fines, weren’t aggressive enough.
Under the new proposal, those violating any of the ordinances would be subject to a $250 fine for the first offense, and up to $300 thereafter. Ward 3 Councilor Coco Alinsug didn’t feel that was aggressive enough.
“The maximum fine allowed, by the state, is $300,” Lamanna explained. “It can go higher than that, but to do so you have to put a home-rule petition in front of the Legislature.”
Both Lamanna and Reddy said that Lynn wasn’t unique in dealing with this situation.
“In almost every urban environment, there are issues like this,” Reddy said.
There have been several incidents in Boston, including one last month in Dorchester when the driver of a moped died after crashing into a minivan, something to which Lamanna alluded to during his presentation.
There are other issues that need to be worked out. For example, said Reddy, these rules aren’t always immediately enforceable, especially if the drivers disappear into congested areas.
“We will engage,” he said, “but only until such time as it would appear to be a public-safety issue.”
Both Reddy and members of the council warned that at no time should civilians confront the drivers of these vehicles. They should definitely contact law enforcement.
“These situations can very easily escalate into a mob mentality,” he said.
Better, he said, citizens should call the authorities and offer the best descriptions they can of the offenders, such as the type of vehicle being driven and clothing the driver may be wearing.
Also, said Councilor-at-Large Brian LaPierre, “if you can identify where the bikes are being stored, that would be helpful too.”
Reddy said that the police department’s gang unit has been given the responsibility of dealing with the problem, and that he has added two plainclothes officers to the unit to help out.
“We are looking to put some significant teeth into this problem,” Lamanna said. “We think it might also be helpful to find not only the drivers of the vehicles, but the owners too. A lot of times, you see someone driving and it’s someone else’s vehicle.”