South Gloucestershire | Archive | 2006 | April | 7
From the archive, first published Friday 7th Apr 2006.
OWNERS of mini-mots and gopeds in South Gloucestershire could have their vehicles confiscated and destroyed if they drive on roads or public places.
Police are clamping down on the mini bikes, which caused chaos in Yate and Chipping Sodbury last summer.
Under new rules, officers can seize and demolish vehicles that are being driven on a road if the motorist has no insurance or a licence.
And officers predict that the legislation - the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 - will cut vandalism and crime connected to mini-motos.
Sergeant Andy McIlrath, sector deputy in Chipping Sodbury, said: "We will take positive action on anyone who is identified using these motorcycles in any place where the public have access and will be seizing these machines which will then be destroyed.
"We are receiving a number of calls from the public reporting both youngsters and adults riding mini motorcycles on roads, footpaths and public areas such as common land and parks.
"The only place where they can be legally be used is on private land with the permission of the landowner."
Despite several high profile campaigns last year, police were still inundated with annoyed members of the public fed up with the mini vehicles causing noise and disruption.
Adrian Jones, project officer at the Sensory garden in Thornbury, told the Gazette the new police powers could only be good news for workers and visitors to the garden, which has been a target of bike users.
"We have had our garden ruined by the bikes two or three times," he said.
"Any way of stopping them would save the garden damage and us hundreds of pounds."
Only motorcycles, which are Type Approved EU/92/61, can be used on a road and are classed as mopeds. The rider must be 16, have a driving licence for that class of vehicle and wear the appropriate head protection. The vehicle must be taxed and insured.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008