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Residents tell Farmington board a large group of e‑bikes harassed drivers near Auburn Trail; board outlines enforcement limits
Summary
Residents described a June 4 incident in which a large group of electric bikes congregated on a private street, surrounded a vehicle and used threatening language; the town board said it will pursue updated local code, coordinate enhanced patrols and consult the sheriff and town attorney but noted limits on charging juveniles under New York law.
A group of residents told the Farmington Town Board on June 9 that a June 4 incident involving a large group of electric bikes left them shaken and prompted calls to law enforcement.
"We had an incident...a whole posse of e bay ebike...they were looking for trouble," said Amy Cristiano, a new resident who described riders doing wheelies, returning repeatedly down her private street and surrounding her car while she and her husband were calling police. Cristiano said she submitted a police incident report and that video captured at least eight bikes.
Other residents described verbal harassment and an "attractive nuisance" — three large dirt mounds in the neighborhood they worry invite risky riding. "That is what's called an attractive nuisance," one resident said, urging the town to ask the builder to better secure the mounds.
The board discussed enforcement options but cautioned about legal limits. A council member leading the accessory‑structure and e‑bike committee said the town likely will update an existing code section rather than write an entirely new law and will consult the town attorney on feasible penalties. "New York State law is on roads 30 mile an hour or less," the council member said when explaining where state rules apply; the board indicated incidents on private roads are primarily a law enforcement matter for the sheriff or state police.
Board members said practical measures could include increased, coordinated patrols on the Auburn Trail, asking schools to post safety reminders to parents, posting private property to enable trespass enforcement, and using security footage to identify juvenile riders. The board cautioned that prosecuting juveniles has limits under state law but noted that, in some cases, parents may be civilly liable or officers may pursue fines or impoundment according to local enforcement practices.
The board said it has an e‑bikes/scooters/ATV committee that will continue reviewing local code updates, will consult the sheriff and town attorney, and will include a reminder in the town newsletter before July 4. The board encouraged residents to continue reporting instances to law enforcement and to provide security footage that could help identify participants.
The meeting did not produce a new ordinance vote; board members described next steps as drafting proposed code edits, consulting legal counsel and coordinating with county law enforcement and local schools.
