Over the summer, there were a few weeks when ATVs and dirt bikes were issue #1 in Camden. There was state legislation to give the police more leeway in enforcing (and impounding) ATVs. At the time, I argued that we wanted an approach that brought the process closer to its community, rather than making it more illegal and locking up more people of color through a crackdown. But I didn’t have a great example of what that looks like. Well, in Philly, Meek Mill is on it.
A great feature by Layla Jones at Billy Penn gets into the cultural elements of ATVs and how Meek Mill has helped to legitimize them. The article talks about events to promote #bikelife that also focus on safety. On the internal culture of avoiding abuse and unsafe practices. Of policy compromises that involve private riding areas.
There’s also talk of the benefits of the activity — how it’s brought together rival cities like Baltimore and Philly. And how riders have even built careers, both in media and in a spin-off industry that focuses on bikes and ATVs.
This is what is lost when a city focuses on enforcement to the exclusion of working with those on bikes. It loses the opportunity to work with young people to make these practices safer. It creates an ‘us v. them’ atmosphere. And it further pushes a community outside of our legal systems.
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