| Friday, 21 July 2006 | |
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Time to clamp down on anti-social menance Dartford MP, Dr Howard Stoate, is calling for stronger action to deal with the menace of mini-motos on Dartford’s pavements, streets, green spaces.“There is no doubt that the use of mini-motos in Dartford is on the increase. I am getting more and more complaints from people both at my surgeries and on the doorstep about their use and I think the time has come to crack down on them,” said the MP. “Not only are they extremely noisy and intrusive, but they pose a threat to pedestrians and other road users and to bike owners themselves. My worry is that many of these bikes are being bought - often by parents for their children as Christmas or birthday presents it must be said – without any real thought about the risks involved in their use or the nuisance that they can cause.” “The important thing to remember is that driving a mini-moto without a current driving licence, tax and insurance is illegal everywhere except on private land. They are not toys and should really only be ridden on sites used by recognised clubs, after having first undergone some proper training. My other worry is that an increasing number of mini-bikes on the market are low quality imports that don’t comply with minimum UK and EU safety standards. The European Union for example has found evidence in the last couple of months for example that a number of dangerously unsafe mini-motos are being brought into the UK. This is a problem that the Government has to address.” “We also need to do more to educate potential owners about the law regarding the use of mini-motos and to steer them towards recognised clubs who can provide them with the requisite training and proper sites. Secondly we need make sure that the powers now available to the police and other authorities to clamp down on illegal riding are being used to their fullest extent.” Notes Petrol-driven mini-motor bikes are small bikes that replicate racing bikes and off-road scrambler bikes. Although they stand only around 23 in high and have an engine size of around 50cc, some can travel at speeds of up to 60 mph. They usually cost up to £500, although there is now a growing second hand market in them, which is helping to drive prices down. Figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association estimate that sales of mini moto type vehicles have increased from 10,000 in 2002 to an estimated 100,000 in 2005.
- Section 59 of the Police Reform Act gives the Police the power to seize vehicles following further nuisance after an initial warning;
A list of UK clubs offering training and safe riding opportunities for mini-motos can be found on the Auto Cycle Union website www.acu.org.uk |
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© 2008 Dr Howard Stoate - Member of Parliament for Dartford
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