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Mini-motorbikes an ‘ongoing problem’
Feb 23, 2006
Police have vowed to continue their crackdown of mini-motorbike riding in the Cannock area following the success of an operation at a local retail park.Inspector Jane Hewitt this week also appealed to parents to think very carefully before buying the machines for their children, not least because of the youngsters’ own safety.
Insp Hewitt said it was an ongoing problem in the town even though the situation had improved on the car park of shops at the Orbital Retail Park.
Complaints that up to 20 riders were gathering at the Voyager Drive site each night prompted officers to descend on the area earlier this month.
They issued warnings to many of the riders that they would have their machines seized if they were caught riding them in the area again.
There were also concerns that some of the riders were small children and were only wearing minimal safety equipment – in some case none at all, not even crash helmets. Insp Hewitt said: “The mini-motorbikes situation is an ongoing one in the area.
“The problem we have at the moment is the classification of these mini-motorbikes – whether they are classed as a motor vehicle or not.
“They are mechanically propelled and if they are classed as motor vehicles then people would need proper insurance and documentation to use them.”
She said they hoped this situation would soon be sorted out with a test case set to go through the courts.
In the meantime Insp Hewitt said: “These machines are being sold as toys but clearly are not toys and we would ask for parents to show some consideration as to whether their child is safe on one.”
The bikes should not be ridden on public roads and can only be ridden off-road with the landowner’s permission.
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