The illegal use of motorbikes, quadbikes and mopeds on public paths, parks and green spaces is a rising problem in a number of areas.
The template council motion below is adapted from a motion by Dudley Liberal Democrats which calls for a partnership approach with the local police to take decisive action in the issues.
You can download the motion from Dudley here and copy and paste the template motions below. The first is for English and Welsh councils (and therefore hold Police and Crime Commissioners to account) and the second is aimed at Scottish councils.
England and Wales
Anti-social use of off-road vehicles, including quadbikes, motorbikes, scramblers and mini-motors is an issue that affects many parts of [AREA NAME]. It is causing particular nuisance in parks and green spaces. While the use of these vehicles is permitted on private land with the land owners permission, the Road Traffic Act 1988 prohibits their use where no permission has been given.
Council recognises that tackling the anti-social use of off-road vehicles requires a proactive multi-agency approach involving the local authority, neighbourhood police teams, the wider [REGIONAL POLICE FORCE] Police and the [AREA NAME] Police and Crime Commissioner.
Council expresses its dissatisfaction with the response of the Police and Crime Commissioner for failing to adequately address the issue of the use of anti-social use of off-road vehicles.
Council therefore resolves to:
- Ask the relevant Officer to conduct a survey amongst the elected members of this Council asking members to identify areas within their ward where anti-social use of off-road vehicles occurs. The results of this survey should be used to improve preventative measures to discourage the use of off-road vehicles on green spaces and paths, such as signage, CCTV and barriers.
- Introduce a system where elected members can report addresses to the council which are suspected to be involved in the anti-social use of off-road vehicles, and council to send letters to these addresses outlining the consequences of their continued use.
- Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the [REGION NAME] Police and Crime Commissioner informing them of this motion, and councils’ dissatisfaction with the response of the Police and Crime Commissioner for failing to adequately address the issue.
- Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Chief Constable of [AREA NAME POLICE], the Police and Crime Commissioner [and INSERT MAYOR HERE IF APPROPRIATE] after May’s elections to invite them to a summit with elected members and senior officers of the council to develop a strategy to tackle this dangerous and illegal practice.
Scotland
Anti-social use of off-road vehicles, including quadbikes, motorbikes, scramblers and mini-motors is an issue that affects many parts of [AREA NAME]. It is causing particular nuisance in parks and green spaces.
Council recognises that tackling the anti-social use of off-road vehicles requires a proactive multi-agency approach involving the local authority, neighbourhood police teams, and the wider [REGIONAL POLICE FORCE].
Council therefore resolves to:
- Ask the relevant Officer to conduct a survey amongst the elected members of this Council asking members to identify areas within their ward where anti-social use of off-road vehicles occurs. The results of this survey should be used to improve preventative measures to discourage the use of off-road vehicles on green spaces and paths, such as signage, CCTV and barriers.
- Introduce a system where elected members can report addresses to the council which are suspected to be involved in the anti-social use of off-road vehicles, and council to send letters to these addresses outlining the consequences of their continued use.
- Instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Chief Constable of [AREA NAME POLICE] to invite them to a summit with elected members and senior officers of the council, to be held as soon as possible, to develop a strategy to tackle this dangerous and illegal practice.