Campaign launched against mini-moto menace

2:00pm Sunday 11th March 2007

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The Argus today joins forces with an MP to demand action to tackle the "menace" of mini-motorbikes.

Hove's Labour MP Celia Barlow MP has received a string of complaints from residents concerned by youths tearing around streets and parks, often late at night.

The vehicles may look like toys, but they can reach speeds of up to 60mph, presenting a serious threat to the public as well as creating a noisy nuisance.

The law states that road-worthy bikes may be ridden in public only if riders are taxed, insured and old enough to hold a driving licence.

But the Government is not aware of any mini-motorbikes which have passed MOTs.

This means that anyone riding a mini-bike on the road is almost certainly doing so illegally. The numerous sightings of apparently underage children using the bikes on roads and pavements suggest people are riding roughshod over the rules.

Police do have the power to take mini-bikes off the roads. They may also be seized if they are used on private land without permission and are causing "alarm and distress".

But because off-road bikes do not have to be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) it can be very difficult to catch them in the act or track down their owners and enforce the law.

Last week in the House of Commons Ms Barlow backed a Private Members' Bill which would require all off-road motorbikes to be registered.

The Off-Road Vehicles (Registration) Bill would enable police to seize any unregistered mini-bike.

Ms Barlow said she had received several complaints from constituents about youths riding around the streets on mini-bikes late at night, particularly in North Portslade and north Hangleton.

The MP, who held a meeting with constituents to discuss the nuisance last year, said: "I have had a lot of constituents in touch with me who have had problems with these vehicles.

"If a member of the public tries to stop them making a noise it can cause an altercation.

"If the bikes were registered and had a registration plate then residents wouldn't have to get embroiled in confronting people.

"They could just take down the registration and report it to police."

The Motorcycle Industry Association estimates that sales of mini-moto-type vehicles have risen from 10,000 in 2002 to 100,000 last year.

Ms Barlow described the bikes as a "menace" and said it was not just children who rode them irresponsibly but adults too.

The MP said: "They can go very fast and the noise is dreadful. It can make people's lives a misery."

Last week the Bill cleared its first Commons hurdle with the support of 116 MPs - despite Government opposition.

Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman agreed the bikes were a nuisance but said there were better and more cost effective ways of combating it than the measures contained in the Bill.

It will now be scrutinised by a committee of MPs but stands little chance of becoming law without Government support.

Today The Argus is joining with Ms Barlow to call for the Government to act to stop mini-motorbikes making residents' lives a misery.

Ms Barlow said: "I am delighted The Argus is joining with me in this campaign to make our streets safer and quieter."

"A lot of them aren't made properly so they are dangerous for the riders as well as everyone else.

"We need mini-bikes to be registered so their owners can be identified."

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "We are aware of the anti-social use of mini-motorbikes and we will be considering a large number of issues surrounding this."

Have you had problems with mini-motorbikes in your area?