Council crushes bikes in crackdown

Dan Thompson

October 21, 2009

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Bosses at Manchester council staged the tough campaign to send out a message that illegal bikes will not be tolerated.

ILLEGAL off-road bikes have been crushed as part of a council crackdown.

The bikes were seized around east Manchester as part of a campaign to rid the city's streets of an 'off-road menace'.

Bosses at Manchester council staged the tough campaign to send out a message that illegal bikes will not be tolerated.

Coun Jim Battle, the council's deputy leader, was on hand to push the button to start the crusher at Sportcity.

He said: "We have been running a very successful campaign with Greater Manchester Police to rid the city's streets, parks and open spaces of this off-road menace, but there are those who are still flouting the law.

"The message is clear. If you ride an illegal off-road bike in a public place in Manchester, it will be confiscated and crushed."

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thoughtful, East of Manchester (21/10/2009 at 08:48)

This menance is largely the fault of central government, who even now still haven't bothered to ban the import and sale of them, I wonder if there really is any kind of legitamate use for the mini motos? Where I live people have been run over and injured by youths who have no licence insurance - or any of the required paperwork. The Police shouldn't be needing to waste time on this, it's the fault of MP's

Mamaduke, Broad Street (21/10/2009 at 09:45)

Am I missing something?; if these bikes are illegal why are they allowed to be sold?

Angie33 , Manchester (21/10/2009 at 11:19)

Great .The grownups making a point to the children who buy them for their children.

Dae, Manchester (21/10/2009 at 11:41)

Mamaduke- Off road bikes and mini-moto's are allowed on private land (with owners permission, of course) and on specific tracks. They are NOT allowed on roads or in public spaces.

I'm not wishing to stop anyone using them in the correct way, but after my dog was hit and seriously injured by one in a public park a few months back, I completely agree with them being crushed if used illegaly.

every man & his dog (21/10/2009 at 11:46)

Mamaduke,
Illegal to ride on the road/pavement, legal to ride off-road on private land & legal to buy

Local lad, outsidethebox (21/10/2009 at 12:11)

It all comes down to self control? We all know whats right and whats wrong.But weve lost control,I see children abusing PCSOs and the police so how do we expect them to behave with cars and motorcycles.We really need ZERO TOLLERANCE for the deadheads we have in our society.The ones that think the law dosnt apply to them.

Prestwich Red, Prestwich (21/10/2009 at 12:45)

I wish Bury council would adopt the same approach.

Their action stops at putting up 'no motorbike signs'. What they don't realise is that the same thugs use the signs as target practice for their air rifles.

Well done Manchester Council

Seemingly Ignored, Heald Green (21/10/2009 at 12:58)

There are some on here who would find the council's response to harmless motorbiking on waste ground as unnecessary and draconian. You know who you are.

I personally think it's an excellent approach. Well done MCC

Anthony , Accrington,Lancashire (21/10/2009 at 13:16)

If I had kids and they were illegally riding them on parks/streets etc I would only be too happy for the bikes to be crushed and wouldn't side with my kids but support the police!

It may be 33 yrs but it will never be 37yrs. (21/10/2009 at 14:27)

The reason the government won't ban them they bring in much needed tax revenue it's like cigarettes the governemnt knows smoking is not good for you but the banning of cigs won't happen. Why? Tax.

paul jones (22/10/2009 at 01:03)

To be honest, i dont think you people see the bigger picture. i personally feel the police are not handling this situation in the correct way, off road biking is a popular sport. This zero tolerance approach stops anyone who wants to use there off road bike responsibly from doing so. There are miles and miles of land in greater manchester unused by anyone but off road enthusiasts. There are many places where these bikes can be used responsibly, out of the way of the public (and i dont mean parks or canals or anywhere near the public). So why not punish the bikers who have dangerous vehicles and show no respect or responsibility by using them in public areas? If a rider stops and gives way to someone thats passing through wheres the problem?

There are riders who have respect and use there machines responsibly, but they have nowhere to ride now.

Mr Moschops (22/10/2009 at 02:10)

The reason the government won't ban them they bring in much needed tax revenue it's like cigarettes the governemnt knows smoking is not good for you but the banning of cigs won't happen. Why? Tax.
It may be 33 yrs but it will never be 37yrs.,

NEWSFLASH!
The banning of cigarettes started some time ago matey.
(33yrs & counting, by the way)

Seemingly Ignored, Heald Green (22/10/2009 at 09:59)

paul jones: that's all very well but what about:

1) the poor sods whose houses back on to these areas? It's awful, hour after hour of un-silenced engine noise.

2) how the bikers get to the biking areas? They use the roads don't they - no tax, no insurance, mostly underage so no licence, no helmet, no MOT.

paul jones (22/10/2009 at 13:10)

Seemingly ignored: it seems you seemingly ignored what i was saying. The people who use these vehicles irresponsibly near people homes and transport them incorrectly are the ones who should be punished. Like i said there are people who want to enjoy this sport responsibly, but the police have taken that option away from them now.

allmodcons, prestwich (22/10/2009 at 14:44)

its a pity they dont crush some of the scrotes that ride them as well....

Seemingly Ignored, Heald Green (22/10/2009 at 14:58)

Paul: Once again, the few spil it for the many. You must agree though, the vast majority of people who ride motor bikes on public spaces do so illegally and get their illegally

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