Police have issued a warning after bike jumps and tracks were discovered being built in America Wood near Shanklin, with documents revealing that the protected woodland has suffered from similar problems in the past.
Officers from the East Wight Neighbourhood Policing Team have highlighted the activity after concerns were raised by the Woodland Trust, which owns and manages part of the woodland.
America Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), recognised by Natural England as the best example of its particular woodland type on the Isle of Wight.
Police have warned that creating unauthorised jumps and tracks within the protected woodland can constitute a criminal offence, as well as causing serious damage to wildlife habitats and presenting safety risks to other visitors.
However, a Woodland Trust management plan covering 2025-2035 reveals that the problem is not new.
The document specifically identifies the creation of ramps for off-road cycling and motorcycling as activities that have occurred at the site previously.
It states:
“The woodland is openly accessible, with multiple entry points and rights of way leaving little opportunity to regulate anti-social activities such as motorcycling or the creation of ramps for off-road cycling, which have occurred in the past.”
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The Trust’s management objectives also include annual monitoring for evidence of anti-social behaviour, specifically identifying bike ramps, littering and fires.
The woodland covers 10.98 hectares of land owned by the Woodland Trust, forming part of a wider 21.4-hectare SSSI which includes adjoining privately owned land.
According to the management plan, around 8.46 hectares of the Trust’s woodland is ancient, with some of the mature oak trees estimated to be approximately 150 years old.
The site is particularly important for its ancient woodland habitats, with bluebells, wood anemones and wood sorrel growing beneath mature oak and birch trees.
It is also home to red squirrels, while natural springs and streams provide important habitats for mosses, lichens and other woodland species.
The Woodland Trust’s management plan highlights that ancient woodland occupies only around 4% of the Isle of Wight, making the protection of sites such as America Wood particularly important.
Police say digging into the woodland floor to create jumps and tracks can destroy plants, damage tree roots and disturb ancient soils that have developed over centuries.
There are also concerns about disturbance to wildlife, including nesting birds and badgers, while hidden holes, excavations and fast-moving bicycles can create hazards for walkers and horse riders.
Although the woodland has an established network of public footpaths and bridleways, the creation of unofficial cycling tracks is not part of the Woodland Trust’s management objectives.
The Trust’s current plan aims to maintain approximately 2km of existing paths and 6 entrances, while preserving the woodland’s largely natural appearance.
The document also highlights the difficulty of managing unauthorised activities because of the woodland’s numerous access points.
Police have warned that the Woodland Trust must remove unauthorised ramps and restore damaged areas, with the resulting costs taking money away from other conservation work.
Officers have acknowledged the appeal of creating places for young people to ride bikes and have suggested that a dedicated site elsewhere, where riders could build their own tracks and jumps, could be worth considering.
Visitors to America Wood are being urged to remain on established routes and avoid disturbing the woodland floor.
Anyone who witnesses people constructing ramps or jumps in the woodland is asked to report the activity to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, quoting crime reference 44260476459.
