Los Angeles police issued citations to more than 70 people, including a 13-year-old girl, after a minibike gathering blocked the 6th Street Bridge and involved stunts and dangerous riding. The girl’s father defended their participation, arguing that riding together was safe and should not be treated as criminal, while police and city officials said the activity endangered riders, motorists, spectators and bystanders.

Police said participants performed wheelies and doughnuts, rode against traffic and weaved between vehicles, leading to bike impoundments and several arrests. Minibikes are illegal on Los Angeles public streets, pavements and in parks because they lack required safety equipment such as headlights, rear lights and mirrors; the father said the gathering was a birthday “rideout”, rather than a street takeover.