HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island police are warning all-terrain vehicle riders that officers will cite people caught operating dirt bikes or ATVs on any public road or private road open to the public.

Vehicles that use public roads and highways must meet federal motor vehicle safety standards, and ATVs fail to meet those standards, police said.

Police warn ATVs also should not be used on public beaches or on private lands without the landowners' permission.

People caught operating ATVs on public roads can be cited for failure to display valid license plates, no safety check, no weight tax sticker and no no-fault insurance.