Atascadero police look to stop illegal motorcycle riding in the Salinas Riverbed

Chloe Jones
·2 min read

The Atascadero police will begin patrolling the Salinas Riverbed to stop illegal motorcycle riding, the department said in a news release.

The Police Department said there has been a “concerning surge” in unauthorized and illegal motorcycle activity in the riverbed.

It’s illegal to drive in riparian corridors, which are the ecosystems surrounding rivers and creeks in Atascadero.

The off-roading violates local and state ordinances and endangers pubic safety and the delicate ecosystem in the riverbed, the agency said in the release. Driving in the riverbed can cause soil erosion, damage vegetation and disrupt wildlife, which can lead to “long-term environmental degradation.”

“The Atascadero Police Department condemns this reckless behavior and urges all residents and visitors to refrain from engaging in illegal motorcycle riding activities,” the release said.

Dead fish rest in a drying tire track in the Salinas River on Aug. 2, 2023. Atascadero police will patrol the riverbed to stop illegal motorcycle riding there.
Dead fish rest in a drying tire track in the Salinas River on Aug. 2, 2023. Atascadero police will patrol the riverbed to stop illegal motorcycle riding there.

Video captured in July shows an off-roading vehicle intentionally destroying a beaver dam to dry out the upstream area so there was more area to drive.

The noise from engines also causes noise pollution, which disrupts “the tranquility of the are” and disturbs nearby residents and wildlife.

“We are working with other stakeholders and agencies to determine the best response to the concerns brought forth to us,” the department said. “Our primary focus is education and voluntary compliance at this time. Because each situation is different, citations or other enforcement may be taken given the circumstances and severity of the violations.”

The city is working with law enforcement agencies to address the issue promptly and effectively. It urges residents to report any instances of illegal motorcycle riding in the riverbed to Atascadero Police Department at 805-461-5051.

“As stewards of our community, it is incumbent upon all of us to uphold the law and protect the natural beauty and safety of our surroundings,” the release said. “Together, we can preserve the integrity of the Salinas Riverbed for future generations to enjoy.”

Beavers are crepuscular, active at twilight, and have several den and dam sites along the Salinas River.
Beavers are crepuscular, active at twilight, and have several den and dam sites along the Salinas River.