Parents urged take responsibility over off-road bike riding in Knottingley

Coun Adele Hayes (Lib Dem/Knottingley and Ferrybridge) spoke out after reports of children as young as nine riding pit bikes on the Warwick Estate.

Coun Hayes said: “Off-road bikes, quads and electric scooter are a real worry in our ward. I see it daily and it's so dangerous.

"I think we need to raise awareness on what the dangers are, not everything should be left to the police we need to take ownership if we are buying these for our children."

The Express reported on September 14 that illegal off-road motorbike riders as young as nine-years-old are intimidating for people on the Warwick Estate, according to one resident

The resident said: "You see nine or ten-year-olds olds on the pit bikes and it's frightening."

The resident added: "They pull wheelies. They get really close to the back of the car and if you are driving it's really intimidating."

Coun Rachel Rachel Speak (Lib Dem/Knottingley and Ferrybridge) said councillors regularly receive reports about dangerous riding and excessive noise, which can be "frightening and intimidating for residents."

She said: “We must also work with parents to make them aware of the very real dangers and the devastating consequences these bikes can have.

"We encourage residents to keep reporting incidents, so we have the evidence needed to bring the police’s specialist off-road bike team into our area.”

Coun William Garbutt (Reform/Knottingley and Ferrybridge) said the problem is Knottingley wide.

He said: "I see it mainly on Hill Top you have traffic going both ways and they will come along and pull wheelies.

"They have no fear of the consequences and they certainly don't have any fear of the police.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "There is a dedicated off-road motorbike team in Wakefield District who work to address issues with the illegal and anti-social use of off-road bikes.

"While enforcement plays a part in tackling this issue, we are trying to raise awareness and educate people as well, including parents who may be involved in buying these vehicles.

"You can ride an off-road bike legally, but this must be on private land with the landowner’s permission.

"They can also be used on a public highway but must have DVLA registration, road tax, a valid MOT, fitted, working lights and registration plates and the rider must be 17 or over (16 if the vehicle meets the definition of a moped), must hold a valid driving licence, must have valid motor insurance and wear suitable safety equipment.

"It is clearly concerning that younger children are being seen on these off-road motorbikes and we would urge people to report any incidents to us so that we can make sure we are patrolling hotspot areas at key times when this activity is taking place."

Footage of the illegal use of off road bikes can be sent to the force’s online Op Snap Portal at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/SaferRoadsSubmissions

Information about illegal off-road riding in communities can be reported on 101 or online at https://www.westyorkshire.police/livechat