Police issue warning to illegal trail bike riders
ACT Policing is reminding the local community that riding trail bikes, dirt bikes, and other motorised vehicles in suburban off-road areas is not permitted anywhere in the ACT.
Police are aware of recent incidents where trail bikes and dirt bikes have been ridden on
public parkland, ovals, greenbelts, and footpaths, and have received several reports of these incidents near the Tuggeranong skatepark, as well as incidents in Melba and Gungahlin.
Officer in Charge of Proactive Policing, Detective Acting Inspector Elizabeth Swain said trail and dirt bikes being ridden in these areas pose a significant risk to the community.
“This is not harmless fun – it is incredibly dangerous, and it is against the law,” Detective Acting Inspector Swain said.
“Pedestrians using parks and footpaths shouldn’t have to keep an eye out for dirt bikes, and a collision in these circumstances could have fatal consequences.
“Police suspect in most cases these riders are unlicensed and the bikes are unregistered.
“We will come down hard on these reckless individuals by seizing their bikes, taking away their means of engaging in this unsafe behaviour.
“Police take reports of illegal trail bike riding seriously, and investigate all matters, but we cannot tackle this issue alone.
“We need information on these incidents from the public - the more reports we receive, the better an intelligence picture we can create of these offenders.
“Whatever information you can provide will help, and can be provided anonymously.
“Take note of what the people involved look like, any identifiable features such as hairstyles, what they’re wearing, any tattoos, the colour of motorbikes, and any premises they are coming and going from.”
Anyone who sees a motorbike being ridden illegally on footpaths or green belts should call ACT Policing Operations immediately on 131 444.
If you have information about other incidents of illegal operation of trail and dirt bikes, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.
Information can be provided anonymously.
Further information about off-road motorcycle riding in the ACT can be found on the ACT Government website.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
POLICE MEDIA — (02) 5126 9070, act-police-media@afp.gov.au