Albany neighbors fed up with illegal dirt bike racing

Concerns over illegal dirt bike racing continue here in Albany.

Just weeks after Mayor Kathy Sheehan announced the city’s plans to crack down on the illegal activity, NewsChannel 13 obtained video of bikers riding through neighborhoods on Hudson and Western Avenue.

One person tells NewsChannel 13 that is the hangout spot for a lot of bikers, and they’re riding up and down the streets day and night.

Neighbors say it’s a disturbance. They rev their engines late at night, waking people up from their sleep. They park illegally and block the sidewalks, and they argue with anyone who asks them to stop.

Albany Police spokesperson Steve Smith says if you get caught riding illegally, they will take the bike, and it will cost you $3,000 to get it back.

"Here in the city of Albany, we need our residents to know that we’re out there. That we are trying to combat this issue, but we need to do it in a way that is safe," he said.

Smith said they have officers that are detailed to address the issues of dirt bikes and ATVs that are being illegally operated, not only on the streets, but also the sidewalks.

There is a hotline number for people to report information about where dirt bikes and ATVs are stored and who may be operating them. That number is (518) 462-1818.

If you’d like to report illegal activity, Smith says it’s better to call 911 or the non-emergency number (518) 438-4000.