Appeal launched across the North East on ‘dangerous and illegal’ off …
Crimestoppers[1] has launched a two-week campaign across the North East appealing for information from the public about the “dangerous and illegal” use of off-road bikes.
The charity said there have been rising concerns over the bikes – which includes quad bikes, dirt bikes, mini motos and other mechanically propelled bikes – becoming a threat to the public. Riding off-road bikes in public open spaces is illegal, but Crimestoppers said there have been rising complaints in the region of the vehicles being ridden along pavements in residential areas and town centres, as well as in green spaces and along beaches.
Rewards of up to £1,000 are available if the information given to Crimestoppers leads to one or more people being arrested and charged. The charity is asking members of the public to get in touch with information on who is riding bikes illegally, including anyone who has used them to cause criminal damage or endanger themselves or the public, and/or information on where bikes are being stored.
Fleur Brown, North East Regional Manager at Crimestoppers, said: “Having off-road bikes tearing towards you on a pavement or on the wrong side of the road is dangerous and an accident waiting to happen, which could result in serious injuries or worse for the rider and members of the public. If you own or ride an off-road bike or other mechanically propelled bike (that includes e-bikes and e-scooters), you must ensure that you comply with UK law.
“Please help to keep your community safe. Tell our charity anonymously who is involved in riding off-road bikes illegally, putting their and others’ lives at risk and damaging property and the environment.
“We understand that for many, it takes a lot of courage to go online or pick up the phone to pass on what you know. However, by taking that step of contacting Crimestoppers, you are helping to make your community safer for you and your family.”
Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the charity’s website[3]. More information can also be found on places across the North East offering training sessions and play facilities for off-road bikes via Crimestoppers here[4].
The law on off-road bikes
Off-road bikes must comply with the Construction and Use regulations 1986[5] and be built to a specific standard in order to be ridden on a public road, Crimestoppers advised. If the bike is not built to this specific standard, it can only be ridden legally on private land and with the land owner’s permission – land owned by the local council is not classed as private land.
Riders not complying with the law on off-road bikes face having their vehicles seized and could be banned from driving, fined, or sent to prison, the charity warned.
Quad bikes
Most quad bikes do not meet road safety standards and therefore cannot be used on the road, Crimestoppers said. They need to be registered, taxed and have an MOT (if needed) to be used on the road, and the rider needs to check with the manufacturer if their quad bike has been approved for road use – more information can be found on the Gov.UK website[6].
E-bikes
You can ride an electric bike if you are aged 14 or over, as long as it meets certain requirements. If a bike meets EAPC requirements, it’s classed as a normal pedal bike, meaning you can ride it on cycle paths and anywhere else pedal bikes are allowed.
Meeting these requirements also means you do not need a licence to ride one and it does not need to be registered, taxed or insured. More information on these requirements can be found on the Gov.UK website[7].
E-scooters
Electric scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission, which means it is illegal to use them on public roads, on pavements, in cycle lanes and in pedestrian-only areas. However, Newcastle is one of the areas in which the Government is trialling a rental e-scooter scheme where it’s legal to use a rental e-scooter on a public road or cycle lane in the trial areas, provided you have the correct licence and follow road traffic regulations.
More guidance and information on the e-scooter trial can be found on the Gov.UK website[8].
References
- ^ Crimestoppers (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Little-known DVLA number plate rules that could land drivers with £1,000 fine (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ website (crimestoppers-uk.org)
- ^ here (crimestoppers-uk.org)
- ^ Construction and Use regulations 1986 (www.legislation.gov.uk)
- ^ Gov.UK website (www.gov.uk)
- ^ Gov.UK website (www.gov.uk)
- ^ Gov.UK website (www.gov.uk)