Off Road Vehicle Amnesty

Merseyside Police in St Helens have teamed up with St Helens Council to launch an initiative aimed at reducing the number of illegally ridden motorbikes and mini motos.

A three week amnesty will start on Monday, 16th July 2007 during which motorcycle bike owners, in particular those who use mini motos and motorbikes ‘off road’, are being encouraged to surrender them to reduce the risk of becoming victims of a serious road traffic collision.

Councillor Teresa Sims, St. Helens Council’s Executive Member for Safer Communities and Chair of the St.Helens Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership said: “The riding of illegal vehicles off the road has the potential to seriously injure or kill people. It also causes noise nuisance for local residents and spoils the use of public open space. St Helens Council and its partners will not condone such use of vehicles and will work to make neighbourhoods safer and better places to live.”

Chief Inspector Mike Constantine added:  “The anti-social use of bikes, in particular off road bikes, is an issue for concern to the local community.  The amnesty is aimed at reducing the risk of serious injury to the vehicle rider, innocent pedestrians, and addressing the noise and nuisance such bikes can cause.   I would urge parents who have bought these vehicles for their children to consider the risks they pose. Such bikes and mini motos are not toys – they are very dangerous and could result in serious injury.”

Mini motos, go-peds and other similar motorised transport are subject to restrictions. They can be used on private property, with the owner’s permission, but if they are to be used in public places, the same restrictions apply as to a motorbike:

•        Rider needs to be over 16 years of age and be wearing an approved helmet and have at least a provisional driving licence
•        The rider will have undertaken Compulsory Basic Training
•        The vehicle will have valid road tax and insurance and have an MOT if it is over 3 years old
•        The vehicle also needs to have working lights, number plate and enough tread on the tyres

After the amnesty, vehicles seized by Merseyside Police will not be returned to the owner without the correct vehicle documentation.

Ends

Press release issued: July 3 2007