BUFFALO, N.Y. — Last summer in Buffalo, there was a spike in illegal ATVs being driven on streets, highways, and in parks, according to city leaders.

What You Need To Know

  • A spike in illegal ATVs being driven on Buffalo streets was seen last summer
  • On Tuesday, some council members introduced an ordinance amendment to Chapter 309 of the Buffalo City Code
  • This amendment states that no one can operate an ATV on any Buffalo street or park, and outlines new penalties for violations
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“We had a rider who, in this neighborhood, in Seneca Babcock, drove through a fence, seriously injuring himself. They’re damaging our park lands, costing the city thousands of dollars, they’re on our main streets," said Bryan Bollman, (D) Common Council Lovejoy District.

“There’s times when I’ve been driving down Niagara Street where large groups of ATVs have almost capsized drivers. They don’t know how to operate on city streets," said Mitch Nowakowski, (D) Common Council Fillmore District.

On Tuesday, Bollman and Nowakowski introduced an ordinance amendment to Chapter 309 of the Buffalo City Code, which states that no one can operate an ATV on any Buffalo street or park, and outlines new penalties for violations.

“I think the thing that people oftentimes forget is that we are not only trying to take care of the public nuisance of ATVs, but really the health and safety of those operating these," says Nowakowski.

The amendment states that penalties would include seizure of the ATV, and a fine of up to $2,500.

“Once these vehicles are seized and impounded, they have to prove that they own the ATV, they have to have the proper insurance, and it needs to be properly registered before the city relinquishes it back to them," explains Nowakowski.