Dreams crushed for illegal bikers

By Callan Date
ILLEGAL motorbike riders risk having their bikes crushed under new laws set to be introduced into the City of Casey.
The harsh new penalties are proposed as part of a major review into stopping hoon riders who are breaking several local laws by riding on public land.
But it’s not all bad news for bikers as councillors agreeing to look into planning a regional motor sport facility.
Councillors at Tuesday night’s council meeting voted to investigate incorporating the capacity to crush impounded motorbikes into the local law.
The move follows on from Frankston City Council’s approach which has resulted in the bayside municipality crushing 29 motorbikes since it introduced the tougher penalties in October 2007.
Casey council can impound motorbikes which have been ridden illegally until a $110 release fee is paid by the owner.
Under the proposed new measures, the bike can be crushed if the release fee is not paid within a certain time frame.
At the same meeting councillors agreed to form a working group to discuss a motor sport facility
The group will involve three local councillors and work in conjunction with the Cardinia Shire Council and State MP Tammy Lobato.
Councillor Michael Farley said he had received numerous complaints from local residents complaining about illegal motorbike riders acting dangerously throughout the City of Casey.
“The sooner something can be done about this the better,” he said.
Cr Paul Richardson said the council should investigate the possibility of not crushing the impounded motorbikes but using them for training and education purposes.
This will also be looked at by council officers when they compile their report which will be advertised for public comment before anything final is adopted.
Cr Farley also asked that a report be conducted on the council’s monthly safety patrols of known illegal motorbike hotspots.
“If these patrols could be done weekly it would help greatly,” he said.
The report is due back to the council in May.