Mini Motorbikes Not Safe

10.45.44am GMT Fri 4th Feb 2005

There is a new and dangerous craze on the streets of Kew. Youths are riding around quiet residential streets at high speeds on miniature motorbikes. The riders often wear no helmet and these petrol powered vehicles are simply not safe, or legal for road usage. This is an accident waiting to happen.

Liberal Democrat Councillor, Jane Arneil has been pressing local police to take action to stop the mini bikers, before there is an accident, "I am very concerned that someone is going to get seriously hurt because of these mini motorbikes. I have asked the police to educate and stop the youths from playing this dangerous, illegal game and also to target any shops that may be selling the bikes inappropriately. After all, if youngsters were unable to buy the bikes this problem would not arise.

I have received a number of complaints from residents who are quite rightly concerned that the mini bikes are so small they are difficult to see from behind a car wheel. Coupled with the high speed of the bikes on otherwise quiet roads an accident seems highly likely."

Cllr Arneil added, "Colleagues tell me that this is becoming a Borough wide problem and I will continue to press for a Borough wide solution. It is vital that residents report illegal and dangerous usage of the miniature motorbikes, this helps the police to see the scale of the problem and to target their resources effectively."