To report to the police or not...
 

Hypothetically speaking, if you were to see two kids (8 or 9 yrs old) riding around your neighborhood on a dirt bike and an ATV, wearing the gear but unsupervised and in excess of 25 mph, AND you've already mentioned it to the parents to no avail would you report it?

I know that, hypothetically it would paint you as a curmudgeon perhaps even an un-neighborly person but isn't the kids' safety worth it? Even though yours is a relatively quiet neighborhood traffic is increasing of late.

Do you let it go and hope for the best, or do you intervene thinking you know better?

Hypothetically of course.

Let it go..

Congratulate them on being the rare parents who allow their kids to do unsupervised outdoor activities?

Is it the kids riding unsupervised that upsets you it are they causing a ruckus? If they’re causing a ruckus, maybe with the congratulations you tell them you don’t mind them doing xxx as long as they don’t do yyy. They may be more responsive if you make it clear you’re not trying to ban them entirely and you’re just asking for reasonable restrictions.

^^^^ Yep (to Byron). You did your part by letting the parents know.... and now it's obvious they already knew.

.....so sleep well ;)

Nah, the machines are quiet but it's a small neighborhood with narrow streets and the kids are not old enough to know they can get seriously injured. If they were riding around in a nearby field I wouldn't care at all. I did try so yeah I'm leaning towards minding my own business.

If they were just endangering themselves I woulds consider it none of my biddness, don't want to be the self-appointed neighborhood cop.

But if they were negatively affecting my property or infringing on my rights by breaking the law, I would stake steps to stop it.
For example: if their recklessness directly endangered me or my family, or directly threatened to damage my property, I would make the call at the very least. Maybe more.

If they were making way too much noise with loud and illegal exhaust and it significant infringed on my reasonable expectation to peace and quiet in my home, I'd call it in.

otherwise, .... naw.

That's tough. At 8 and 9 I don't think they are old enough to "get it" about being safe or not. But, you can't be everyone's parent.

Honestly, I think both options are OK. Which one will help you sleep better? Personally, I'd probably leave it.

Are they wearing helmets?

let them enjoy their childhoods.

8 - 9 or 12-13? 8 year old is pretty young. I would not unless you really think there is a good chance of them being taken out by a car, you are seeing the whole picture. At least they have an outdoor activity they enjoy. Or as MRM has mentioned.

We have the same problem with dirt bikes/4 wheelers, but we are out in the countryside where it is more acceptable...what isn't acceptable is listening to 4 or 5 of them crashing around in the fields, and on the road until midnight sometimes. I have refrained from reporting them, but some day, it will be too much.

One kid spent a whole week learning how to ride fast in front of our house with out a helmet/gear/lights, or any supervision. I would venture a guess that he screamed by about 50 times a day, missing gears/stopping/accelerating hard, this drove my dogs (and me) nuts.

Yes and proper boots too. They really are driving way too fast, heck I don't do more than 15 when I pull into the neighborhood. But they're not my kids, they are a danger to themselves mostly. I may try the parents once more and make sure I don't come off as self righteous. After that I'm out.

thanks guys.

Pour a couple quarts of oil near the turns:rolleyes:. Problem solved. Just make sure you cover your face due to cameras all around.:D

No.

I wonder if I got reported for doing that - my Kawasaki dirt bike was NOT quiet - I pulled the innards out of the muffler.

I got some REAL dirty looks from adults near the dirt hummocks I went way too fast on...

I actually have the same situation in my neighborhood right now, as we speak. It's gone on for about the last fifteen years and, believe it or not, it's been the same family. Their oldest are out of college and out of the house now, but their youngest are 10-12 years old. They are riding the same machines their older siblings learned to ride.

They are fearless. They haul ass on those things. We are a very tightly knit dead end neighborhood. The only traffic here is neighbors and guests. Everyone knows they could be out there, along with all kinds of other neighbor kids on their bicycles, shooting hoops, kicking a soccer ball, or whatever. It's all completely unsupervised, unorganized mayhem - perfect, just like my childhood. Yes, some of them get hurt every now and then. There has even been a broken bone or several over the years. That's how they learn...

I can't say enough about their parents. They have instilled in them a respect for other's properties, along with a respect for other's peace and quiet in the mornings and evenings. All of their machines have adequate mufflers on them. Granted, even at that any single cylinder dirt bike or quad is going to make some noise - it's unavoidable. But they are aware of that and ride appropriately.

I know every situation is different. I know I'm lucky in that my neighbor is a great guy and shows respect for the rest of us. Unfortunately, where kids and dirt bikes are concerned, that appears to rarely be the case. So, if they are respecting your property, respecting your right to some peace and quiet in the mornings and evenings, I would just let it go. If they hurt themselves they hurt themselves. It's all a part of it.

When ya get that 686....shoot their tires :D

Unless your name is Karen..

I ride wheelies on my R1100S in my neighborhood. Most of the neighbors just wave and smile, thinking that old guy is gonna hurt himself..

Glad you live in New Jersey Tom. :)

I'd probably let it go.

Presumably, you're smarter, more experienced, and more aware than an 8 year old (who are generally pretty clueless and have somewhat limited life experience)