End of the road for mini bike racer (From This Is Wiltshire)

End of the road for mini bike racer

10:27am Thursday 10th January 2008

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ONE youngster has started the New Year by seeing police seize his illegal mini moto bike and take it away, probably to be crushed.

The unnamed 13-year-old was in tears when he watched Marlborough officers take the tiny motorbike from his home.

He was given 14 days to produce evidence of tax, insurance and MoT and told that without these documents the bike would be crushed.

It was seized by police as part of a clamp down on the illegal use of mini moto bikes and scramblers in and around the Marlborough district.

The police operation follows an increasing number of complaints from members of the public about motorbikes illegally using rights of way including the Marlborough-Swindon cycle track along the old railway line.

Mini motos, a craze sweeping the country, may be fun and exciting to use but they are illegal when used in public places, say police.

PC Jeremy Bachelor was involved in the seizure of the mini moto in the St Margarets Mead area on Wednesday last week.

Another officer wheeled away the bike to Marlborough police station where was it was impounded.

PC Bachelor said: "Following an increase in complaints across the Marlborough Police area, officers are proactively targeting the illegal use of mini motos and scramblers.

"If any one is caught riding one of these on the highway or in any public place without appropriate clothing and certificates it will be seized."

The officer explained that a public place' includes footpaths, bridleways, car parks, cycle routes and any open area to which the public has access.

The owners of any bikes impounded by police, said PC Bachelor, must within 14 days provide valid insurance, tax, and MOT.

They also have to pay the standard recovery charge of £105 and plus £12 for every day the bike is impounded.

PC Bachelor said: "In reality it is not possible for these machines to satisfy the legal requirements for insurance i.e registration, plate lights, horn, brakes to meet the required standards.

"More importantly offenders potentially face prosecution for various motoring offences regardless of age including having no insurance, no MOT, no tax and no driving licence."

Youngsters caught riding illegal face the prospect of having penalty points on their licences, even before they apply for one.

PC Bachelor added: " The safety of everyone is our primary concern. These young riders are often not wearing any protection and families, runners and dog walkers along these tracks and pathways are also at risk."

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