Isle of Wight Police and Freshwater and Totland Town Centre Manager are working with young motorcyclists in the area to give them a fast track lesson in road safety and the law.

Around 20 youngsters who use the wasteland off Colwell Common for scrambling and riding mini-moto bikes are going on an evening out watching the Wightlink Islanders at a forthcoming speedway meeting, which has been funded by the IOW Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, following a bid to the group by PCSO Carolyn Whiteman.

The trip is being organised by the  local police Safer Neighbourhoods Team and IWC Safer Neighbourhoods Partnership who in recent months have been speaking to young riders using the wasteland off Colwell Common for scrambling and riding mini moto bikes.

Both the police and Bob Nelson, the IW Council’s Town Centre Manager, have received complaints from local residents that the riders were using public highways and footpaths to ride to the scrambling site.

Mini-moto bikes are not permitted on any highway because they do not have any form of lighting, vehicle road fund licence, mot, or insurance. The riders also do not wear crash helmets in some instances.

Bob said:

While the scrambling site is on private land, residents were concerned that bikes being ridden illegally on public highways were presenting a danger to other road users and the youngsters themselves.

We have come to know these youngsters through talking to them over many weeks and have explained to them the need to make sure they abide by the law and keep safe.

But we are glad they have such enthusiasm for motor-biking and are organising a trip to Smallbrook for them to help encourage that further. We also hope that by working closely with them we will be able to effectively get them to take seriously the issues of road safety and the law.

Two riders who have ignored repeated warnings that riding on public highways and footpaths is illegal have now had their machines confiscated.

Sgt Mark Lyth said:

No one has a problem with the youths using the wasteground but we have received a lot of calls from residents concerned that they are using roads and footpaths illegally.

Whilst we are more than happy to engage with the young people and to encourage their interest in motorsport by arranging a trip to Smallbrook, the youngsters must understand they do have to pursue their interest in a safe and legal fashion.

Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.