Our Shawnee Ridge neighborhood is occasionally visited by a group of young men
who are “trike drifter” enthusiasts. (check it on google and YouTube) They bring their
homemade tricycles to the top of the cul-de-sac on 111th Street Court East, mount up,
and go down 111th St Ct E, turn right on Shawnee Ridge Rd, turn left on 136th Ave E,
turn right on Jennifer Ct E, spin out in the cul de sac.
This last Sunday, January 14, they showed up for their joy ride around 12:30pm. An
SUV dropped off 3 or 4 young adult men and 3 or 4 children, all wearing helmets, and
all with these trikes. I confronted them as I have the previous times and tried to
convince them how dangerous their activity is.
This is the 4th time in 4 years I have witnessed them coming to our neighborhood to
“trike drift”. What they are doing is very dangerous, for them, and, in my opinion,
potentially very dangerous to pedestrians and bystanders. These “trikes” are built with
a wide wheel base and low to the ground. It is almost impossible for cars to see them
approaching intersections and bends in the road because of their low profile as they are
coasting downhill as fast as they can. Parked cars along Shawnee Ridge Rd create
blind spots along that stretch. They seem to have very little capability to slow or stop
quickly, and they do not, probably cannot, yield the right of way to vehicles, bicycles, nor
pedestrians.
They also disregard common sense when they are shuttling “trike” riders to the top of
our street. One time, 2 of the riders were in the trunk of a small car with their legs
draped over the handle bars of the “trikes” towing them to the top of the hill. Another
time, 5 or 6 men and their trikes were in the back of a pickup truck.
This most recent occurrence is the first time I’ve seen children involved. It was hard
to guess ages with helmets on, but they looked no taller than 10 year old children. The
driver of the shuttle car said 2 were her children. I could not convince her how
dangerous and irresponsible this was.
They insist what they are doing is legal, but doing only 2 or 3 quick rides and then
leaving speaks otherwise. They come in to the neighborhood fairly quietly and leave
rather quickly. Most people don’t notice them unless they happen to be outside. I am
done talking to these people, especially now that they have young children involved.
They do not care what you think and will let you know it. They are going to do what they
want ….. unless law enforcement is involved. I urge anyone observing this activity in
our neighborhood to call 911, tell them that a group of people are “trike drifting” down
our streets, that they are acting in a reckless manner and being a danger to others, that
they have done this in our neighborhood several times before, and, based on previous
encounters, they will only be here for approximately 20 minutes.
Jay Kennon
13725 111th Street Ct E.

Some of the “Trike” riders and their tow vehicle. License Number AMN 3334

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