Boston police are rounding up illegal dirt bikes and ATV’s

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh had tough words on Monday for Bostonians who have been stunt-driving dirt bikes and other all-terrain vehicles through the city’s streets.

“Those guys riding their bikes, they’re a danger to society, they’re a danger to the people in the neighborhoods,” Walsh told reporters on Monday. “People in the neighborhoods are sick and tired of it and we’re cracking down on it.”

Boston Police announced this weekend they would be going after drivers of recreational vehicles, who have been spotting popping wheelies and weaving through traffic in the city.

The effort led to the “mass arrest” of several people in Walpole on Sunday night, BPD said in a blog post on Monday.

Police worked with officers from several agencies to track down the drivers – who were described as Boston residents connected to a group called Boston Bike Life, BPD said on its website.

Fourteen people were arrested and seven issued summonses to appear at Wrentham District Court, police said. Officers also seized six motor vehicles and 11 recreational vehicles.

In a post on Friday, Boston Police said they were initiating a “significant and substantial crackdown targeting the reckless and illegal operation of unregistered motor scooters, dirt bikes and recreational vehicles.”

The effort began on Saturday and will continue over weekends this month, according to police, who said they have received “substantial complaints” about the vehicles from neighbors in Roxbury, Mattapan, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain and the South End.

Police Commissioner William Evans had this to say in a written statement after Sunday’s arrests:

“This wide sweeping investigation was in direct response to numerous complaints from the communities we serve. I would like to thank all of the agencies involved who helped us take these dangerous operators off the streets.We will continue to take any and all steps necessary to ensure the safety of the law abiding citizens of Boston.”

Videos on YouTube posted with titles like “Boston Bike Life” and “Boston Bikelife” appear to show people doing stunts with dirt bikes on city streets.