'Stick to farmland or motocross tracks' - Police

Senior Sergeant Megan Te Aho says Police in the Easter Bay of Plenty have seen an increase in unlicensed riders on unregistered dirt bikes, without helmets or protective clothing in recent weeks.

“Riders are frequently found travelling on roads and footpaths at excessive speeds throughout Kawerau, Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne and frequently fail to stop for Police when signalled to do so,” Te Aho says.

She adds that this is very unsafe and can lead to fatal crashes.

“Police will be stopping and forbidding these riders from using their motorbikes until they obtain a motorbike driver’s license,” she says.

Riders should also stay away from public spaces such as parks, reserves and footpaths.

Te Aho says police will look to enforce these rules and will impound motorbikes and dirt bikes if riders continue.

“This is not a way that most of these young people envisage the start of their driver license journey,” she says.

Police are asking parents to help with the issue and stop children from riding dirt bikes around streets.

“Unless you have a driver’s license, please only ride your bike on farmland and purpose-built dirt bike tracks,” Te Aho says.