‘It’s frightening’: Councillor warns illegal off-road bikes are a ‘serious problem’
‘It’s a serious problem across our ward’
Illegal off-road bikes are a “serious problem” across Knottingley and Ferrybridge, a councillor has warned, as residents report dangerous riding and excessive noise.
A concerned resident has said children as young as nine years old are plaguing her estate with illegal off-road motorbikes.
One resident on Warwick Estate, Knottingley, said: "We have been here over seven years. When we first came here it was the older ones, 16 to 17 year olds.
"Now it's a much younger element are picking up on it so you see nine or ten-year-olds olds on the pit bikes and it's frightening.
"They pull wheelies. They get really close to the back of the car and if you are driving it's really intimidating.
"It's constant, you can't really pin it down to any time. You get quads as well after midnight.
"It probably won't be as bad now because they have gone back to school, but during the school holidays it was awful. It is just nuisance and it is constant."
Another Warwick Estate resident said: "They pull a wheelie and they are kneeling on the seat and then they look round to see if anybody is looking."
Coun Rachel Speak (Lib Dem/Knottingley and Ferrybridge) is leader of The Wakefield Liberal Democrats, the main opposition party on Wakefield Council.
Coun Speak said: "Illegal off-road bikes are a serious problem across our ward.
"We regularly receive reports about dangerous riding and excessive noise, which can be frightening and intimidating for residents.
“We must also work with parents to make them aware of the very real dangers and the devastating consequences these bikes can have.
"We encourage residents to keep reporting incidents, so we have the evidence needed to bring the police’s specialist off-road bike team into our area.”
Coun William Garbutt (Reform/Knottingley and Ferrybridge), said: "I agree with everything the residents have said but it's not just confined to Warwick Estate, it's all over Knottingley.
"I see it mainly on Hill Top you have traffic going both ways and they will come along and pull wheelies.
"They have no fear of the consequences and they certainly don't have any fear of the police.”
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "There is a dedicated off-road motorbike team in Wakefield District who work to address issues with the illegal and anti-social use of off-road bikes.
"While enforcement plays a part in tackling this issue, we are trying to raise awareness and educate people as well, including parents who may be involved in buying these vehicles.
"You can ride an off-road bike legally, but this must be on private land with the landowner’s permission.
"They can also be used on a public highway but must have DVLA registration, road tax, a valid MOT, fitted, working lights and registration plates and the rider must be 17 or over (16 if the vehicle meets the definition of a moped), must hold a valid driving licence, must have valid motor insurance and wear suitable safety equipment.
"It is clearly concerning that younger children are being seen on these off-road motorbikes and we would urge people to report any incidents to us so that we can make sure we are patrolling hotspot areas at key times when this activity is taking place."
Footage of the illegal use of off road bikes can be sent to the force’s online Op Snap Portal.
Information about illegal off-road riding in communities can be reported on 101 or online.