Monkey bikes ban

By Tania Martin
UNREGISTERED monkey and trail bike riders could face losing their rides if caught on the road under new proposed laws.
Cardinia Shire last month voted at its general meeting to approve new laws to ban all unregistered ‘monkey’ mini and trail bikes from the roads and council-owned public spaces.
It follows ongoing concerns raised by residents across the shire.
Unregistered riders have been a problem right across the hills for years.
In September 2007, The Mail reported how a dangerous stunt involving a trail bike rider and Puffing Billy had sparked renewed calls for something to be done about irresponsible and unregistered trail bike riders.
This followed a near head-on collision with a rider and the popular tourist attraction.
At the time, volunteer and eyewitness Roger Willsher told the Mail it wasn’t the first time someone had been caught riding on the railway tracks
Residents from Emerald, Cockatoo and Monbulk have been calling for police to do something about the riders for years.
Under the proposed law those caught on the first offence will have their bike impounded for six months.
It will also cost the offender $250 to have the bike released and a further $300 holding fee.
Those caught in the act a second time will lose their bikes for 12 months, and it will cost $250 to release and a further $600 for the holding fee.
Unregistered and unlicensed riders also face the prospect of further fines from police if caught doing the wrong thing.
Emerald Police sergeant Fiona Tolmi said unregistered trail bike riders were a major problem for police.
She said it was an ongoing problem in the Emerald and Cockatoo area.
“We are constantly getting calls about trail bike riders,” Sgt Tolmi said.
Sgt Tolmi said the proposed laws were a step forward.
“We would like to think that these new laws will act as a deterrent,” she said.
Sgt Tolmi said one of the problems with unregistered riders was catching them in the act.
“By the time we get a call and travel from Emerald to Cockatoo the riders are usual gone,” she said.
Although Sgt Tolmi declined to speculate on the number of calls associated with illegal riders without further investigation, she did say it was a frequent occurrence.
Shire manager of governance Doug Evans said the bikes would be impounded by police and contracted vehicle collectors would then transfer the bikes to a holding yard.
Mr Evans warned that the shire also had the power to destroy impounded bikes where fines had not been paid with 28 days of a notice.
He said the penalities under the proposed law were similar to those in the City of Frankston.
“In that shire, 52 motorcycles and assorted powered vehicles have been impounded to date, with 27 in the first month of the law being introduced,” Mr Evans said.
“These laws were well received by their local community who were fed up with the perennial public nuisance caused by riders … we expect a similar response from our community.”
Under the proposal, permits can be obtained in some parts of the shire to use bikes on private land.
Copies of the proposed law changes can be obtained from the shire office in Henty Way, Pakenham or by logging onto the shire’s website at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au.