The El Camino Trail in northeast Rochester is a popular spot for hiking and biking. It's also become a popular spot for some things that aren’t allowed.


What You Need To Know

  • Neighbors says people are riding dirt bikes and ATVs on the trail almost daily
  • Rochester police say they're trying to catch those who ride illegally
  • If caught, violators can be ticketed and fined

Neighbors say you can almost set your watch by it, the people who ride dirt bikes and ATVs on the trail almost daily. The trail, which runs along an old railroad bed through the northeast part of the city up to Seneca Park, is clearly marked by numerous signs telling them that what they’re doing is not allowed.

Rochester police say they're trying to catch those who ride illegally.

"We want this activity to be stopped," says Rochester Police Chief La'Ron Singletary. "You know it's dangerous and reckless for everybody involved in the community."

Singletary says Rochester police are working with New York State Police to target illegal riders and areas they’re known to ride often. He says catching them in the act has to include ‘smart’ enforcement.

"We can't just recklessly chase a motorcycle down, you know, 100 miles an hour down the highway," Singletary says.

Police say it's unsafe to chase a suspect for what is essentially a 'minor' violation, albeit a reckless one which could have serious consequences. That doesn’t mean they’re not confronting the issue.

If caught, violators can be ticketed and fined. Singletary says police have already confiscated several motorcycles and ATV’s from people driving them illegally.

"One thing that they should know is that we're not going to stop," he says. "We're going to continue to come after them. We're going to continue to do what we can to disrupt their activities."