Don't buy a mini-moto this Christmas 10 December 2006

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Safe Newcastle is urging parents not to buy mini-motos for their children this Christmas unless they have private land where they can be driven legally.

The miniature motorbikes are the latest craze to sweep the nation and police have received increased calls from concerned residents. Northumbria Police received over 3,000 calls about off-road vehicles in the last year. Young, untrained drivers are riding the machines without any safety equipment, on roads, pavements, and public areas.

A key aim of the Xmas Be Safe Be Legal campaign is to educate parents about the dangers of mini-motos and the legal issues surrounding ownership. Although marketed as toys, the miniature motorbikes can reach speeds up to 60mph. Many parents do not realise that mini-motos are classed as motor vehicles under the law and treated exactly the same as full size motorbikes – requiring safety equipment and documentation including driving licences and insurance. Mini-motos cannot be ridden on public or common land owned by the council or where permission of the landowner has not been given. There are no public areas in Newcastle where mini-motos can be ridden legally.

Kevin McGready, the Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator for Safe Newcastle said “Parents who buy these machines for their children have a duty to ensure they do not cause a danger to themselves or any member of the public and that they are being used legally. This means they cannot be ridden on the road, pavement, public rights of way, cycle-paths, verges, public parks, or any place to which the public have access such as car parks and playing fields.

“The consequences for illegal motorbiking are; it can be fatal, it can be expensive in fines, your vehicle can be seized and destroyed, and it can lead to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order or imprisonment.”

The campaign will see targeted police resources seize and destroy bikes that are being used illegally. The force helicopter will be available to track illegal riders. Mobile CCTV cameras will also be in operation. Police can seize any vehicle that is being used anti-socially and prosecute the rider for various traffic offences. Parents can also be prosecuted as they are permitting the offence.

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