Illegal Bikers - Police swoop in dawn raids

[No5]

ps - all these pics are public access tracks / roads.

Just the same as these.

 

[Pond digger]

Unfortunately not. Many of the byways are being downgraded to bridleways or footpaths or TRO'd, meaning that the few that remain open get over used and damaged (mainly 4x4s creating deep ruts) which in turn means that councils shut them as well.
It seems to me that as a motorbike greenlaner we are not welcome anywhere. These bikers are not representative of the group I ride with and yet we are all tarred with the same brush!
The problem I see is that councils believe that if all the byways are closed that the people who take part in this hobby (whether 4x4 or bikes) are going to dissapear, when ultimately illegal off roading will increase.

Unfortunately, your hobby is intrusively noisy, and not really compatable with other countryside interests. Also, given the mess made (granted 4x4's are worse than bikes), there's little wonder that the councils don't want the management/ repair, expense. Unfortunately, it only takes a small number of byway users to make a very expensive mess.

Really, I would have thought that you need dedicated sites, where you are charged an appropriate sum to cover maintenance.

P.S. I've had illegal bikers; it seems to me, the more mess they make, the more they enjoy it: I'd dearly like to throttle the ignorant b*****ds that take delight in tearing up my grass bridleway, withought any thoght to the effort I put in keeping it mowed, at no cost to the public.

 

[No5]

ps - all these pics are public access tracks / roads.

Just the same as these.

Unfortunately, your hobby is intrusively noisy, and not really compatable with other countryside interests. Also, given the mess made (granted 4x4's are worse than bikes), there's little wonder that the councils don't want the management/ repair, expense. Unfortunately, it only takes a small number of byway users to make a very expensive mess.

Really, I would have thought that you need dedicated sites, where you are charged an appropriate sum to cover maintenance.

P.S. I've had illegal bikers; it seems to me, the more mess they make, the more they enjoy it: I'd dearly like to throttle the ignorant b*****ds that take delight in tearing up my grass bridleway, withought any thoght to the effort I put in keeping it mowed, at no cost to the public.

As regards to my hobby being "intrusively noisy and not compatible with other countryside interests", why not compatible other countryside interests are also noisy, shoots for example. Do tractors and other machinery operate silently, I think not.
Dedicated sites where we can ride (at a cost to us) are also being closed due to noise problems. The difference is at a dedicated site large amounts of bikes will be there all the time the venue is open. When greenlaning we pass through an area and then are gone.
A lot of organisations, like the TRF organise work parties to repair and maintain byways.
Does anyone complain about footpaths being repaired at great cost,

http://www.cemex.co.uk/cemex-aggregates-delivered-by-helicopter-to-repair-the-pennine-way.aspx

I agree with your view on "Illegal" bikers, but we are not all like that but as I said before we are all tarred with the same brush!

 

[7610 super q]

Just the same as these.


As regards to my hobby being "intrusively noisy and not compatible with other countryside interests", why not compatible other countryside interests are also noisy, shoots for example. Do tractors and other machinery operate silently, I think not.
Dedicated sites where we can ride (at a cost to us) are also being closed due to noise problems. The difference is at a dedicated site large amounts of bikes will be there all the time the venue is open. When greenlaning we pass through an area and then are gone.
A lot of organisations, like the TRF organise work parties to repair and maintain byways.
Does anyone complain about footpaths being repaired at great cost,

http://www.cemex.co.uk/cemex-aggregates-delivered-by-helicopter-to-repair-the-pennine-way.aspx

I agree with your view on "Illegal" bikers, but we are not all like that but as I said before we are all tarred with the same brush!

Tractor driving isn't a hobby though is it ? Although.......

Whatever happened to nice quiet hobbies like tiddlywinks, and chess.

Hobbies these days seem to involve causing as much nuisance to others as possible, whether it be bikes / 4x4's/ shooting / drones /metal detecting.......

 

[Grassman]

Unfortunately, your hobby is intrusively noisy, and not really compatable with other countryside interests. Also, given the mess made (granted 4x4's are worse than bikes), there's little wonder that the councils don't want the management/ repair, expense. Unfortunately, it only takes a small number of byway users to make a very expensive mess.

Really, I would have thought that you need dedicated sites, where you are charged an appropriate sum to cover maintenance.

P.S. I've had illegal bikers; it seems to me, the more mess they make, the more they enjoy it: I'd dearly like to throttle the ignorant b*****ds that take delight in tearing up my grass bridleway, withought any thoght to the effort I put in keeping it mowed, at no cost to the public.

You are partly right about being noisy. Some idiots must fit aftermarket noisy silencers. Most genuine trail riders stick to standard equipment.
I do observed trials which uses very quiet bikes .
(the old pre 65 British bikes are the noisiest we have to endure)
We do sometimes use legal rights of way to access bits of land but we don't really make much mess. We are totally against illegal off reading.
We generally have an excellent relationship with farmers. Our club has recently taken over an old quarry and woodland which was plagued with illegals. We have virtually stopped any illegal riding on that land and is now only used for properly organised and insured events.
So don't think all off roaders are the same,

 

[wr.]

I consider myself very lucky to be able to ride these hills any time I like in the name of tending and gathering the sheep.

 

[Johnnyboxer]

Don't forget though that these bikes have only been seized,not permanently confiscated. Produce your documents and pay a fee and its yours again unless you are a persistent offender. Sec165 Road traffic act.
Madness !!!

Criminal damage to crops
Different offence and nothing to do with road traffic act
Theses bikes will be sold or crushed as it is a far more serious offence

 

[Johnnyboxer]

Unfortunately, your hobby is intrusively noisy, and not really compatable with other countryside interests. Also, given the mess made (granted 4x4's are worse than bikes), there's little wonder that the councils don't want the management/ repair, expense. Unfortunately, it only takes a small number of byway users to make a very expensive mess.

Really, I would have thought that you need dedicated sites, where you are charged an appropriate sum to cover maintenance.

P.S. I've had illegal bikers; it seems to me, the more mess they make, the more they enjoy it: I'd dearly like to throttle the ignorant b*****ds that take delight in tearing up my grass bridleway, withought any thoght to the effort I put in keeping it mowed, at no cost to the public.

I agree
Motorised vandalism

 

[Norfolk Olly]

There's miles of byways open around this area, I ride most weekends if possible and always stick to the correct routes, dip the clutch and coast past any dog walkers usually to a barrage of abuse as there's probably been a dozen groups of idiots on pit bikes with no insurance before me.

 

[Will May]

This country is too small and full of Victor Meldrews. Do not under any circumstances venture outdoors and enjoy yourself. Stay in on your electronic devices and you won't see or hear me shooting, driving my tractor or riding my enduro bike. Life's too short.

 

[Pond digger]

I’m sorry to you biker boys, but for me, there’s nothing so incongruous to the peace of the countryside, as the sound of trail bikes.

 

[Grassman]

I’m sorry to you biker boys, but for me, there’s nothing so incongruous to the peace of the countryside, as the sound of trail bikes.

Ii can't say the sound of endless cars travelling about in the countryside sightseeing or whatever is that good either. At least a few trail riders are soon gone and out of earshot.

 

[No5]

There's miles of byways open around this area, I ride most weekends if possible and always stick to the correct routes, dip the clutch and coast past any dog walkers usually to a barrage of abuse as there's probably been a dozen groups of idiots on pit bikes with no insurance before me.
View attachment 626826

Been up to Thetford a few times. Nice long sandy trails, a good day out. The bottom pic of my previous post is from up your way.

 

[Velocette]

Criminal damage to crops
Different offence and nothing to do with road traffic act
Theses bikes will be sold or crushed as it is a far more serious offence

Not true,,they have been seized with no mention of a confiscation order. IF criminal damage is proven against an individual then a judge may request confiscation. Watch for the court outcome,I'll wager a shilling that no crushing of legally owned bikes will occur !

 

[Will May]

I’m sorry to you biker boys, but for me, there’s nothing so incongruous to the peace of the countryside, as the sound of trail bikes.

I do feel guilty sometimes, but my bike is so quiet it's nicknamed the milk float by the guys I ride with. You can hardly hear it over all tutting noises coming from the ramblers!

 

[Johnnyboxer]

I’m sorry to you biker boys, but for me, there’s nothing so incongruous to the peace of the countryside, as the sound of trail bikes.

Yep
I agree, especially noisy 4 strokes and sports bikes or Harley's with loud pipes in summer
Should ban them from the roads

 

[Johnnyboxer]

Not true,,they have been seized with no mention of a confiscation order. IF criminal damage is proven against an individual then a judge may request confiscation. Watch for the court outcome,I'll wager a shilling that no crushing of legally owned bikes will occur !

Have you seen all their videos in this case?
If you haven't then you can't anymore as YT have removed them
If you have then there is blatant, deliberate and wilful criminal damage to autumn sown osr and cereal crops, plus a site of sssi etc
If you haven't seen ALL the videos then it's hard for you to comment
The Police wouldn't have done it without a strong case and support from CPS
I think these 6-7 guys will be made a very public example of, to deter others from similar actions

The British countryside is not a playground for illegal off roading and certainly not farmers fields full of valuable crops

 

[DrWazzock]

We have an unmetalled byway open to all traffic near to us. Stupidly the council turned into a byway whereas previously is was a bridle way, with a right of way for vehicles for the residents at the end of it that needed to use it.

Over the past few years it's been rutted to great depth and generally torn up and potholed by the off road "sports" people in everything from 4 X 4, quad bikes and motorcycles. The council have repaired it a few times, we have repaired it a few times at our own cost, but within a couple of months they've damaged it beyond use by an ordinary car, so we have given up repairing it. We only need to go down it a couple of times a year if that with a tractor and trailer at harvest time so it's still passabke for us but the residents, some of whom are elderly and with health problems, at the end of it have a big problem. Their cars get damaged or stuck using it and I can't imagine an ambulance getting on very well either.

I'd like to know what the off road motor sports enthusiasts would propose as a solution to the problem because we and the residents have run out of ideas. Maybe they'd like to buy a load or two of stone, get their shovels out and spend a weekend putting back what they have taken out of the countryside for their own enjoyment rather than expect somebody else to pick up the bill and do the work.

Genuine real question, not a made up story. So come on lads, let's be hearing it. Nobody wants to be a killjoy, but there is a problem that needs sorting out.

I could out this morning and redress the surface at my own expense but frankly I have got a bit fed up of that.

 

[Velocette]

Have you seen all their videos in this case?
If you haven't then you can't anymore as YT have removed them
If you have then there is blatant, deliberate and wilful criminal damage to autumn sown osr and cereal crops, plus a site of sssi etc
If you haven't seen ALL the videos then it's hard for you to comment
The Police wouldn't have done it without a strong case and support from CPS
I think these 6-7 guys will be made a very public example of, to deter others from similar actions

The British countryside is not a playground for illegal off roading and certainly not farmers fields full of valuable crops

The bikes have been seized under Sec,59 Police reform Act,,,anti social use which is automatic in these circumstances. Providing that the bikes are legally owned by the culprits and not stolen then the chances are that they will get them back after paying a fee. The criminal damage will have to be quantified and individually proven as substantial before charges are preferred. The CPS will not back a looser. I'm not unsympathetic to the view that confiscation and crushing would seen to be justice BUT, in a previous life I spent most of my working week pursuing and dealing with offenders like this and its very frustrating to see a smart defence brief allow them to walk away after a slap on the wrist.

 

[Johnnyboxer]

The bikes have been seized under Sec,59 Police reform Act,,,anti social use which is automatic in these circumstances. Providing that the bikes are legally owned by the culprits and not stolen then the chances are that they will get them back after paying a fee. The criminal damage will have to be quantified and individually proven as substantial before charges are preferred. The CPS will not back a looser. I'm not unsympathetic to the view that confiscation and crushing would seen to be justice BUT, in a previous life I spent most of my working week pursuing and dealing with offenders like this and its very frustrating to see a smart defence brief allow them to walk away after a slap on the wrist.

Crush the bikes
Problem sorted then and a harsh lesson to others
Bit like letting bodies hang from the gibbet for a few days - a lesson to others
No sympathy for them here