Title
Authorizing the join Council Committees on Public Safety and Streets and Services to hold hearings to investigate illegal street racing meetups in Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Speeding and loud motorcycles, souped-up cars, ATVs and dirt bikes continue to cause danger and disruption throughout the City despite not being street legal; and
WHEREAS, The neighborhoods of Fairmount, Spring Garden, and Logan Square have become a particularly popular meetup spot for these illegal racers, with Kelly Drive, Eakins Oval, the Ben Franklin Parkway, and Logan Circle all experiencing frequent transformations into raceways for these illegal vehicles; and
WHEREAS, ATVs and dirt bikes are frequently ridden up and down the steps of the Art Museum, damaging the concrete steps and disrespecting a City landmark; and
WHEREAS, Contrary to popular belief, many of these drivers and riders are from suburban New Jersey, often bringing their vehicles on flatbed trucks and disembarking in the City because Philadelphia is permissive of street racing in ways surrounding municipalities are not; and
WHEREAS, Illegal street racers have often engaged in violent criminal behavior against City residents; and
WHEREAS, Cars and motorcycles participating in illegal street races often have mufflers modified to produce noise at levels that violate local noise regulations, and audio systems that produce excessive levels of sound pressure; and
WHEREAS, Research has shown that chronic and excessive noise harms human health, interferes with daily activities, disturbs sleep, causes cardiovascular and psychophysiological effects, reduces performance, and increases the risk of hypertension, stroke, and heart attacks; and
WHEREAS, Excessive noise disproportionately affects low-income neighborhoods and communities of color; and
WHEREAS, In June 2021 the Philadelphia City Council passed an ordinance defining and prohibiting all-terrain vehicles on City streets; and
WHEREAS, In July 2022 the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Act 92 prohibiting off-road vehicles from urban streets, providing penalties for violations thereof, and subjecting illegal street vehicles to asset forfeiture; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, The Committee on Streets and Services is hereby authorized to hold hearings regarding illegal street racing meetups in Philadelphia.
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