A GROUP of residents are due to have talks with Whitehill Police, district councillors and the MOD, to discuss the possibility of designating an area of land specifically for biking. This comes as a result of increasing concerns about the amount mini-motorbikes being used illegally within the town. The matter was brought to the attention of Whitehill Town Council at Monday's meeting when a request was made for a piece of council or MOD land to be used for biking. "We recognise that there is a major problem with motorbikes in Whitehill and Bordon. Inspector Gerry Thorne said that if some land was allocated for them it might offer a much safer solution, but I'm afraid the town council has none to offer," said Adam Carew. "It is a possibility that the district could be asked for some but they don't have very much, the people with a lot of land are MOD. "By having a site where it is controlled seems like a good idea but would it encourage riders to use that piece of land? We have to consider the environmental impact on the area which would mean some proper consultation beforehand." One local resident who attended the meeting felt that the MOD should allow the public to use some its land, She said: "I've been over there with my children and their bikes and we got chucked off by MOD, but it was never used. Why can't we just pay them a small fee and use the land? That way the police and MOD time is not wasted and the bikes are kept away from the shopping centre. "I take my kids to Four Marks for £5 a day but it is an awful long way to travel and I believe there should be somewhere nearer." The council sympathised with residents and were concerned with the number of young children who were using the bikes on the roads and nature reserves but it stated that permission from the MOD must be sought. One person said that the MOD used to allow people to use some parts of land for cycling but stopped permitting it when someone attempted to sue after after breaking an arm in a fall. "I live in Cypress Road and the for the first four years it was heaven but since the arrival of all these bikes it has become a nightmare. We cannot stay in the house at times when they are racing up and down the road. They are not wearing helmets and kids as young as five and six are on those bikes all afternoon," said Hazel Rudd. A resident of Oak Tree Road has had a similar experience and fears for her safety. "Bikes are whizzing around until 1 am sometimes and I can't go out with my three- year-old child. When we complain, we are threatened by certain families who promise to burn your house down, and when we phone the police, they are very reluctant to do anything about it. "Some of the parents don't give a damn about their children riding around the streets. We don't want to stop them having fun but we do want to feel safe in our own homes, free of the continual nuisance." This follows hot on the heels of yet another police warning to people continuing to use "mini moto" motorbikes, larger bikes and full- size scramblers irresponsibly. Whitehill Police fear it won't be long before someone is seriously hurt. Although small in size, the mini moto machines are replicas of adult motorcycles, driven by petrol or electric motors and can be capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 miles and hour. Pc Peter Day said: "These are motor vehicles, not toys and cannot be used on roads or any area of public land. By using the bikes on roads, people are not only breaking the law, they are compromising their safety and the safety of others. "To be road legal, they would need appropriate lights, suspension, brakes, tyres etc. The rider would have to hold a driving licence, have insurance and tax and wear a crash helmet. "The penalties for ignoring these restrictions can be severe and those caught could find themselves with points on their licence or banned from driving." Police are also concerned about the number of people riding large bikes or scramblers irresponsibly on military land. Pc Ed Barratt said: "The problem we have is adults and children using large, powerful bikes on land which is owned by the MOD. "Firstly, many don't wear the correct safety equipment or helmets; secondly the bikes are being ridden to and from the land on the road – which is an offence unless you hold the necessary licence, insurance and MOT and thirdly; this land is popular with dog walkers and we fear it won't be long before someone is seriously hurt." Over the last few weeks, a number of joint operations have been carried out by the police and the MOD to put a stop to the land being used in this way. Senior MOD police officer John Spirit said: "Riding bikes on this land is actually a criminal offence under an Aldershot by-law and we are working hard with the police to prevent access to the land. Those who are caught should be aware that they could be prosecuted under this law but more importantly, they should perhaps think of their safety."
