Information for Trail Bike Riders
-
About
-
Websites
Important Information for Owners of Trail Bikes, (including Mini Motorbikes [Mini-Motos] & Quad Bikes)
Lincolnshire Police and our rights of way officers are receiving an increasing number of complaints from the public and land managers about the noisy and anti-social use of motorbikes in public places and on the rights of way network. This use has included bikes being ridden along public footpaths and bridleways (which have no right of access for vehicles) and into adjacent fields.
Mini Motorbikes and quads are often given to younger children. If you are a parent and have bought your child a “mini-moto” or quad bike, please be aware that children under the age of 16 cannot legally ride mechanically propelled vehicles in public places. Driving them on roads, pavements, in parks or along public rights of way is illegal and could result in the vehicles being crushed by the police.
It is illegal to use these vehicles on ALL footpaths, bridleways, common land and restricted byways.
Keep within the law and ride responsibly
For legal use on a public highway they should be:
- Registered with DVLA
- Taxed
- Insured
- Roadworthy
- Used by a rider who is at least 16 years old and have a driving licence
Contact the police for further advice.
Where can they be used?
Mechanically propelled vehicles can be used in your own garden, or on private land if you are the landowner or have the landowner’s express permission.
Provided they are taxed, and insured appropriately etc, they can be ridden responsibly on public highways or “off tarmac” along Byways Open To All Traffic by over 16’s.
Used illegally, the police have powers to confiscate vehicles and owners risk prosecution. As well as the prospect of having their vehicle crushed, offenders could receive points on their licences, including children not old enough to currently hold one. Some insurance companies may also refuse to insure them once they have passed their driving test.
Untrained people riding recklessly and without proper safety equipment put themselves and the general public at risk of serious injury. The Auto Cycle Union website provides contacts for the network of clubs across the country offering training and safe places to ride.
