Police act to curb mini-bike menace (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Police act to curb mini-bike menace

A CRAZE for mini motorbikes is putting people at risk and causing noise and damage across west Wiltshire.

Youngsters have been illegally riding the bikes on roads and footpaths.

A total of 41 incidents have been reported to police over the past few weeks, mainly in the Towpath Road and Longfield areas of Trowbridge.

Inspector Glynn Hookings of Trowbridge police said: "Since the beginning of the summer holidays there has been a steady increase in reported incidents.

"Our main concern is public safety in that most of the people using the bikes are teenagers, they are uninsured, they aren't wearing crash helmets and they are riding in an irresponsible way," he said.

"We haven't had any accidents reported yet but the chances of that happening are significantly increasing as more bikes are out there."

The mini motorbikes, which can reach speeds of up to 30mph or double that if retuned, are being marketed as suitable for anyone over six years of age.

They can be bought and ridden by anyone but are not designed or approved for use on the public highway, including any road, car park or footpath.

Insp Hookings said: "It is about education. Parents buy these as gifts for their children, which is fine, but they should only be used on private land. As soon as they are used on public land they are within the full remit of the law, for example in terms of insurance."

He said the force had also seen a rise in incidents of theft involving the bikes, which can cost anything from £150 upwards. Complaints about the bikes have been about excessive noise and criminal damage as well as riders using them inconsiderately.

West Wiltshire District Council has joined in calls for people to be more careful.

Cllr Terry Chivers, the council's community and leisure portfolio holder, said: "It is essential that as a community we take some responsibility to encourage sensible use of mini motorbikes across the district and report any incidents to the police. There are many recent incidents of misuse and this is causing a nuisance and genuine distress to many local residents as well as being a threat to public safety."