Motorized bicycles are becoming an issue at many of the city’s parks and recreation properties, said Parks and Recreation Director Kelly Daughtry.

At the Emry Park Skatepark, the problem has manifested itself not only through visible tire tracks on the skating surface, but in graffiti sprayed onto a picnic table.

At the skatepark, the problem started last week, said Justin Kerr, who led an effort to turn the abandoned tennis courts into a facility targeting primarily beginning skaters.

“Some kids showed up on their e-bikes and I told them they weren’t allowed in the park because there are rules on a very large sign at the gate,” he said. “Then the kids just kept harassing me and riding in the park and doing burnouts.”

Kerr said he told them he would call law enforcement if they didn’t leave. He left the park, and when one of his friends got there, the e-bikers returned and harassed him.

When Kerr returned to the park later, “They were waiting for me and rode specifically in the park as soon as I got there just to get on my nerves.”

Graffiti was found on the picnic table at the skatepark entrance, and at some point between Thursday and Friday, all the picnic tables in the park had been flipped over. The e-bikers again harassed the skaters at the park, he said.

Burnout and tire-slide marks were discovered on the skatepark surface despite a posted sign stating motorized vehicles are not allowed there, on the park’s walking trail, or in the field.

Most skatepark users are on bicycles, scooters, inline skates, or skateboards, he said. “There’s no place in there for an electric bike that goes 25 to 35 miles an hour flying around. It’s a safety concern.”

The skatepark surface isn’t compatible with e-bikes. “It’s starting to tear up the concrete. It’s just one of those things that’s going to speed up the breakdown of the park.”

The ones causing the problems appear to be of middle school age, Kerr said, adding that he has heard reports about them bragging about the vandalism at school.

Most people are respectful when the skaters explain the rules, he said. “They leave. They don’t come back.”

He said he has also told the kids using e-bikes that they are welcome to come back with a scooter, skateboard, or bicycle. “They’re more than welcome to have fun, and we can be friends. But it’s just turned into them coming out and messing with us because we told them they can’t ride in here.”

Despite the issues, the vibe at the skatepark has been wonderful, Kerr said. “That’s the one thing that I’ve got to keep in mind—that I can’t let this one problem wash away all the good things that have happened since we’ve got kids coming out and learning. We’ve got a good group of guys that come out here at night and hang out and skate. All of us are willing to help young kids learn, whether it be scooters, skateboarding, or their bicycles. We’re all here to help and want to share the love of the sport that we love.”

Kerr recently created a foundation called Emry Park Skatepark Inc. to help raise money for the facility’s upkeep and host events twice a year. The money will also be used for skateboards and safety equipment for the kids. “We want to help these kids who genuinely want to be out here. For some kids, it’s things like shoes, new decks, new trucks, or wheels. We want to be able to provide stuff like that and also host these events and hopefully raise enough money that when the skatepark does need some sort of maintenance, we don’t have to ask the city for extra funds to take care of it.”

Kerr sees some e-bikers riding around the skatepark surface at full blast and jumping obstacles. He is also aware that e-bikes have become a problem elsewhere in the city.

“Our walking trails are designated for walking or jogging,” Daughtry said. “This includes the trails at parks and the Roanoke Canal Trail. There have been issues with four-wheelers, dirt bikes, and electric bikes on the trail. These motorized vehicles do damage to the surface of the trail and have put people walking and jogging in dangerous situations. These vehicles fly past pedestrians, and one misstep could cause a major accident for all involved.”

Daughtry said the department has seen e-bikers riding through grass areas and on walking trails in other parks as well. “In addition to these instances, there have been several issues at Emry Skatepark with people riding these electric bikes on the skatepark. They have left marks on the concrete and make it dangerous for younger children to enjoy the skatepark.”

Daughtry confirmed that after being confronted about their use of the skatepark, “Several of the electric bike riders were disrespectful to adults and vandalized the picnic tables and other areas of the park.”

She said City Ordinance 97.02 (A) states: “It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or propel any motor vehicle, minibike, motorcycle or other vehicle in, over or through any park, except along and upon park drives, parkways, or park boulevards.”

“We are asking for everyone on these motorized devices to stay off of the trails, off of the skateparks, and out of the park areas that are not for vehicle parking,” she said.

The department has contacted law enforcement about these issues and is also asking the public to take pictures of anyone they see misusing city public park spaces. “You are welcome to send these pictures to the parks and recreation department, and we will work with the police department to identify those that misuse our facilities,” Daughtry said. “Roanoke Rapids has a lot of public recreational spaces that other areas our size do not have. It is a challenge to maintain these properties when so much staff time is spent cleaning up after others. Please use your local parks and recreational facilities responsibly so that everyone can enjoy these public spaces.”