Police are urging off-road motorcyclists to explore areas in which they can legally enjoy their bikes.
Nottinghamshire Police is continuing a clampdown on people who put lives at risk by riding the high-powered machines across farmland, on footpaths and in other public places.
However, as well as seizing bikes and prosecuting riders the force is also encouraging them to explore the many legal ways they can enjoy their machines.
As a result the force has now compiled a list of more than 20 legal off-road biking venues – all within reach of Nottinghamshire.
Sergeant Simon Whitehouse, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We understand that motorcycling is an exhilarating hobby and people’s desire to get out and enjoy their machines, but what we don’t understand and will never accept is people who break the law and put others at risk in order to do so.
“Sadly we are seeing more cases of people riding illegal, unregistered and uninsured bikes on our roads, and we are seeing more people riding illegally across private land. As well as causing a considerable noise nuisance for local residents and damaging the landscape, this behaviour also puts other people and riders themselves at risk.
“Every time we seize a bike or take action against a rider we get the same old comments on social media – that there just aren’t any places to ride legally. That simply isn’t true and we are now reaching out to riders to make sure they are aware of that.”
In total there are more than 20 legal locations available to see on the list attached to this article.
Sergeant Whitehouse added: “Ultimately we are police officers first and foremost so we will continue to our work to identify and punish those who break the law – seizing bikes and issuing fines where necessary. We will also seek to protect the farmers and landowners whose property and crops are being damaged.
“However we also want to add a bit of carrot to our existing stick so have taken some time to compile a list of local tracks and venues where people can enjoy their hobby legally and with a greater degree of safety.
“The tracks researched are varied and include 30ft to 100ft table tops and drop-offs with various levels of ability for both Enduro and junior MX riders and junior MX tracks. Clearly there is a cost attached to most of these, but the price is far lower than the cost of having your bike seized.”
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Chief Inspector Heather Sutton said: “Being a biker myself I totally get the sense of enjoyment the riders get. There’s nothing better than a good session out on the bike but this needs to be done legally and within the law. I will continue to support my officers in detaining illegal riders and seizing bikes and quads.”
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