Pasco deputies target dangerous motorcyclists on North Run

LAND 'O LAKES (FOX 13) - The Pasco County Sheriff's Office shared a video on YouTube Wednesday showing a group of bikers speeding through an area of Land O' Lakes.

Deputies say they're cracking down on what they view as a common problem in that neighborhood.

The video, who deputies told FOX 13 is also part of an investigation to determine whether anyone who broke laws can be identified, shows the bikers cruising through an area known as the North Run, which includes Collier Parkway and Parkway Boulevard in the Lake Padgette area of Land O' Lakes.

"In the videos, we're seeing people obviously speeding through the neighborhoods, practicing their wheelies on the public roads," said Deputy Ricardo Ortiz, who has received several videos from frustrated neighbors. "We're getting some complaints from some citizens and some videos they've been sending us about some more bike riders riding recklessly and speeding through the neighborhood."

Members of that community, including many families with children, just want people to slow down.

"I imagine for [the bikers], it's just a leisurely bike ride, but it's pretty fast and loud. So... every time they come by and my kids are out here on their bikes and stuff, I have to make sure they're pushed off to the side and they're safe," said Ryan Cummings, who said every weekend he sees biker groups with anywhere from a dozen to 20 people riding down his street. "It shouldn't be happening. It is a residential neighborhood. There are other places. If they want to drive fast, they can go down the interstate and do it."

According to a post on the sheriff's office Facebook page, deputies have been handing out a series of warnings along the North Run and will now be handing out more tickets.

The North Run is an area well known to long-time bikers.

"It's an exciting road. It's least traveled by vehicles. It's a nice, curvy road, which motorcycles love," said Joel Kurek, a manager at Tampa Bay PowerSports, adding the videos are frustrating for safe riders to see. "If you want to get out there and figure out what the bike can do for you and do those higher speeds to do the stunts and stuff, there are organizations that have meets that you can do this legally."