Oct 1, 2025 - News

SF proposes higher fines to deter illegal dirt bike riding

Nadia Lopez

Dirt-bikers ride through San Francsico. — Unauthorized dirt bike riders and ATVs often block intersections and cause widespread traffic delays. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter unveiled legislation Tuesday to double San Francisco's maximum fine for misdemeanor sideshow offenses to $1,000 in an effort to curb illegal dirt bike and ATV riding.

Why it matters: The effort is part of a citywide crackdown on sideshows, illegal stunt driving and unauthorized dirt-bike takeovers, where massive clusters of riders have swarmed city streets and endangered public safety, per San Francisco police.

State of play: The proposal would bring San Francisco's fine in line with cities like San Jose, Fresno and Oakland.

Sauter said in a statement that the city's existing $500 fine makes it "an attractive target for this dangerous behavior."
"Our legislation will fix this and be another tool at our disposal to end this reckless driving and keep our communities safe," he added.
Sauter, who represents the Embarcadero, North Beach and Russian Hill, said the proposal is in response to rising constituent concerns about sideshows in their neighborhoods.

Catch up quick: The move comes about a week after the city announced the arrests of four riders and seizures of six dirt bikes and one ATV as part of its stepped up enforcement.

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SF proposes higher fines to deter illegal dirt bike riding

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