Motorbikes being ridden off-road are continuing to cause a nuisance across the Isle of Wight, with an increasing amount of reports to Police.
At the end of March a farmer complained about people riding motorbikes on various bridleways on his land in Wroxall. On this occasion Police attended and caught a male riding along the bridleway resulting in a section 59 warning being issued under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Also at the tail end of last month, 2 trials bikes were seen to be ignoring closure signs on Mottistone Down and although photographs were taken, registration numbers were not clear. A motorbike was also reported to be riding around Victoria Recreation Ground in Newport.
Elsewhere on the Island, it was reported to Police that motorbikes were being ridden on private land close to active badger sets. Officers from the Isle of Wight Country Watch team issued advice to the riders and land owner.
March wasn’t a one-off, with April seeing a farmer reporting ongoing issues with motorbikes riding around her fields on the outskirts of Newport and a resident in Calbourne reporting motorbikes riding up and down a footpath in the local area.
On 19th April, several motorbikes were seen using a bridleway travelling towards St Georges Down in Newport.
It’s not just motorbikes ignoring the law of the land – at the start of April a farmer saw 2 4×4 vehicles on the closed Tennyson Trial. Fortunately the eagle eyed farmer took down the registration numbers and both drivers have since been served section 59 warnings.
Anyone who spots such activity taking place can contact the Isle of Wight Country Watch Team on 101 or by emailing [email protected].
