Worcester police create task force to stop teens on bicycles in traffic

WORCESTER, Mass. — Worcester police have formed a task force to crack down on “swerving,” a dangerous trend among mostly teenagers riding bicycles on city streets.

Large groups of teens ride into oncoming traffic, weave between lanes and do stunts while riding through red lights, causing traffic jams and forcing drivers to swerve, police said.

“(We) typically see a group of kids between 5 and 20 riding on our city streets quite recklessly,” said Worcester Police Sgt. Kerry Hazelhurst. “I’ve personally seen it myself. In and out of traffic, complete disregard for their own safety, safety of others.”

The task force targeting the issue is comprised of officers on each of the department’s three shifts. They not only patrol in their cruisers and on foot but by bike, too.

Police have already made some juvenile arrests and have confiscated about a dozen bikes. They are still working to identify other offenders.

Officers are also going into local schools to talk to kids about the danger of the trend that’s becoming increasingly popular in many cities across the country.

“We’re reaching out to the kids and to the parents to let them know how dangerous it can be to both the person on the bike and the operator,” Hazelhurst said.

Worcester police ask anyone with information about such incidents to call them.

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