Shocking moment motorcycles and quad bikes take over Manhattan street and sidewalk

Shocking moment motorcycles and quad bikes race through empty Upper East Side streets of Manhattan and almost hit pedestrians on sidewalks amid lockdown

• Around 100 bikes and ATV’s were seen racing through Manhattan streets 
• Shocking footage saw the riders travel along the sidewalk almost hitting people 
• Such sights are common during light evenings with the NYPD powerless to stop
• NYPD encourage people to take video of the convoy for evidence purposes  
• Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID

By James Gordon For Dailymail.com

Published: 03:23 BST, 13 April 2020 | Updated: 04:11 BST, 13 April 2020

Up to 100 motorbikes and ATVs were caught on camera racing along the side streets of the New York’s Upper East Side on Sunday night. 

The shocking footage was captured by Melissa Francis, a news anchor for Fox, who lives above the intersection where the speeding bikes passed by.  

‘Hey ⁦@NYCMayorsOffice @NYPD @NYPDShea small problem here on UES,’ she tweeted

The video was made all the more frightening by the fact many of the illegal dirt bikes and quads ended up on the sidewalk. 

The shocking footage was captured by Melissa Francis, a news anchor for Fox, who lives above the intersection where the speeding bikes passed by

A couple of people were even seen trying to cross the road, while another person was leaving a shop just as the convoy was passing and they could easily have been injured.

Such sites are common in other parts of the city including Harlem and the Bronx where on summer nights such behavior is almost a nightly ritual.

The police rarely do anything about it and are relatively powerless to do anything and argue that giving chase to the bikers could make the situation even less safe. 

The NYPD encourage all citizens to call 911 and take video in an effort to identify the culprits. 

Some Twitter users had sympathy for the bikers while others believe them to by a menace

Last July, the NYPD’s 19th Precinct told Patch.com that they were aware of the situation and would make arrests and confiscate their bikes at the end of their joy ride in East Harlem or the Bronx.  

Bikers race along avenues willfully disregarding any red lights that may slow their progress.  

It is rare, however, to see such activities take place on the sidewalk where such the bikers actions could easily endanger the lives of pedestrians. 

It appears as though those involved were taking advantage of the quiet Manhattan streets which have occurred as a result of the lock down and stay at home orders that are in place in New York City as a result of the coronavirus.  

Some Twitter users had sympathy for the bikers while others perceived them to be a menace.

‘Until your wife steps out of the door from taking her 85 year old mom food, holding your baby and gets his with a four wheeler. It’s all good. We have the same s*** in ATL,’ wrote one user.

‘Pretty sure ATV’s and dirt bikes are neither street legal or sidewalk legal,’ commented another.

‘What’s the problem they’re social distancing they’re not gonna catch anything right now on a motorcycle an there’s no traffic,’ argued another user.

‘Let them enjoy a ride,’ said another.

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