SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Illegal dirt bikes are weaving through traffic and popping wheelies on city streets, and police said Wednesday the unpredictable riders are creating dangerous conditions for drivers.

Officers have deployed a specialized group to crack down on the problem, which has become a common sight as warmer weather arrives.

Dirt bikes that are not street-legal have been seen blasting through traffic and threading gaps between cars. The bikes sometimes travel in large groups. “I mean, of course, with the warmer weather and them out, they don’t abide by the traffic laws and they’re whipping in and out of the side of cars. It’s pretty scary,” said Mia Weibel of Springfield.

Weibel said the dirt bikes, especially those driven recklessly, are creating dangerous road conditions. “I feel intimidated when I’ve got a group of dirt bikes doing wheelies, flying, you know, and I can see them in my rear-view mirror. It’s very intimidating,” she added.

Before COVID, bike riders were among the most common calls police received. Those numbers have dropped since the pandemic, but the threat to drivers remains the same, police said. “They’re extremely dangerous for the riders and, oftentimes, these riders pose dangers to pedestrians and other motorists because of how they operate recklessly throughout the city. So, we have a detailed group of officers that go out, our anti-OHV group and they surveil,” said Springfield Police spokesperson Ryan Walsh.

Police said the dirt bikes sometimes drive onto sidewalks to get around other cars. Under their current plan, officers observe and wait for the driver to pull over, then identify whether the vehicle is illegal.

Police added drivers should not engage with dirt bike riders, as it can lead to road rage, especially if they are in groups. They advise calling 911 if there is a serious issue.

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