This rider was photographed hooning up and down a path in Doveton, only metres from residential areas.By Callan Date
ILLEGAL motorbike riders are fast becoming the number one public nuisance in the City of Casey.
Residents say the off-road hoons are wreaking havoc and endangering lives on public land, with council by-laws officers almost helpless in their attempt to stop the dangerous behaviour.
Several riders were captured on camera by a News reader last Saturday as they sped up and down parkland near Waratah Reserve in Doveton.
Witnesses said the riders were travelling as fast as 65kmh with little respect towards fellow park users or themselves.
The News last week reported Casey Council was investigating the introduction of tough new laws which would result in illegally used motorbikes being crushed.
But the hoons have to be caught first and by-laws officers have no power to apprehend the riders.
Damien, who wished to have his surname withheld, said he was watching a match at Doveton Soccer Club as the motorbike riders USED the nearby parkland as their illegal playground.
“There were four or five different riders and they were using the same path, which was also being used by pedestrians and people walking dogs,” he said.
“They were belting along and then they would come to a corner at full-speed and then burn up along the path again.”
Damien said the buzzing noise created by the bikes was bordering on unbearable.
Doveton Soccer Club secretary Fiona Astridge said the hoons were causing her double the pain.
“They are a nuisance at the soccer club but they are even worse at the back of my house,” Ms Astridge said.
The Hampton Park resident said motorbike riders regularly used park land alongside the Hallam Main Drain.
“I bought this house because it was next to common property but the sound of the bikes is so annoying.”
Ms Astridge said she occasionally saw the odd police patrol in the area.
“They can get in all the small places and get away from the police pretty easily.”
Off road bikes and smaller monkey bikes have increased significantly in popularity over the last few years, however there is no track or motor sport facility in the City of Casey where riders can ride legally.
Casey, in conjunction with Cardinia Shire Council, recently decided to investigate establishing a regional motor sport facility.
Casey manager of customer service Rob Colling said council had bought two off-road motorbikes and conducted motorbike patrols ‘as required’.
“The aim of these patrols is to minimise public nuisance relating to illegal motorbike usage and by their presence, raise awareness in the community about illegal motorbike usage on public land,” Mr Colling said.
“Although local laws officers do not have the authority to apprehend illegal motorbike riders on public land, council works closely with Victoria Police to undertake enforcement work in relation to offences such as riding a motorbike unlicensed and unregistered.”
