A Leeds motorcycle group calls for ‘joint approach’ to anti-social behaviour involving bikes
A Leeds motorbike group's calling on authorities to work with them to tackle anti-social behaviour involving bikes.
A Leeds motorbike group's calling on authorities in the city to work with them to tackle anti-social behaviour involving bikes.
Leeds Motorcycle Action Group (Leeds MAG) are responding to changes made by the Council after the chaos that was caused by motorbikes and quadbikes on Kirkstall Road on Halloween.
They want Leeds City Council to take a measured approach in partnership with local biking interest groups to address anti-social behaviour problems which occurred in October 2016.
It follows the Council's decision to extend an injunction for the next five years prohibiting anti-social driving (as defined by the order) covering the whole of the Leeds City area. It seeks to outlaw certain behaviours which could cause alarm, nuisance, harassment of the public or property damage.
Richard Manton, Leeds MAG's spokesperson, says "The fact that these irresponsible louts happened to be on motorcycles has meant that MAG needs to ensure their antics do not reflect badly on real bikers, who have no interest in causing alarm and inconvenience to the general public. We therefore offer our assistance in addressing these issues, and underline the importance of not penalising law-abiding citizens due to the idiocy of a small minority."
Responding to the statement from Leeds MAG, Leeds City Council told Radio Aire the injunction is there to help provide the tools to take proactive action against individuals who seek to behave in irresponsible ways and to pose issues to the safety of other motorists and pedestrians in built up areas of the city.
Councillor Deborah Coupar, executive board member with responsibility for communities, said "we want to stress that this injunction will in no way affect those motorcyclists and others who enjoying riding in groups in a law abiding and sensible fashion through our city, and we are more than happy to work with groups such as MAG (Motorcycle Action Group) to ensure this happens.”
Following the announcement of today's extended court injunction, Cllr Coupar said she's pleased with the outcome of the hearing today, adding she "hopes this sends out a clear message to anyone thinking of behaving in a similar manner in the future that if they do take part, it will not be ignored and they will face tough consequences."