Conference tackles growing problem of unlawful off-road biking
A network of professionally designed motorcycle circuits could be created in the forests of Wales as part of a new national strategy to tackle the rising problem of uncontrolled off-road biking in the countryside.
Riding clubs whose members would receive training and tips on bike maintenance could be set up to encourage a more responsible attitude and raise machine standards, a major conference held in the Baverstock Hotel, near Merthyr Tydfil, was told today (Thursday).
In his keynote address to the conference, organised jointly by Forestry Commission Wales and the Countryside Council for Wales with support from other key organisations, Environment Minister Carwyn Jones said he hoped the "landmark event" would represent the "first very important stage in the effective management of this activity".
The 200 delegates were involved in a series of workshops and produced ideas that could be introduced to co-ordinate off-road bike activity without conflicting with other users of the countryside and nearby communities.
But while a more organised future for the rapidly growing pastime was mapped out, the conference also supported tough action to clamp down on rogue bikers riding on unauthorised land and routes in the countryside, often on untaxed and uninsured machines.
A number of Welsh police forces with off-road motorcycle squads already target bike "hot-spots" and use new powers under the Police Reform Act to confiscate bikes which, under the new strategy, could be "recycled" through approved riding clubs offering secure storage, maintenance and training facilities.
Mr Jones told delegates, "There is
considerable concern about the behaviour of some motorcycle riders and the damage that they can cause to Rights of Way, the open countryside and our forests, as well as the disturbance they can cause to communities."
He added, "However, we should not be blind to the possible opportunities that may present themselves if this activity is properly managed. There may be ways of establishing individual sites, or a network of routes, that can be identified for use by the various motorcycle user groups and managed accordingly."
A network of circuits, approved to Auto Cycle Union standards with a range of terrain types and levels of difficulty, would need to be designed and suitable sites identified to avoid overload on specific routes and to reduce noise pollution.
Mr Jones cited the example of the Assembly's forest mountain bike trails, which had overcome initial opposition to become regarded as among the best in the world, attracting millions of pounds every year to several areas of rural Wales.
He said he hoped the conference would agree a partnership approach to: curtail unlawful motorcycling manage lawful motorcycling, and look at opportunities to develop
motorcycling as an outdoor recreation activity.
CCW Chairman John Lloyd Jones said, "The conference will allow us to gain a better understanding of the issues surrounding off-road motorcycling. We appreciate that there is a need for a new approach that gives consideration to all users of our pathways and recreational routes and that the current situation is not acceptable. Effective management of this activity and all outdoor pursuits is essential in the interests of promoting safe and enjoyable access to the countryside for all."
