Rogue trail bikers thrown off balance

THE Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), Parks Victoria, and Victoria Police began a campaign to spot rogue trail bike behaviour in the state’s parks and forests over the Easter weekend.
Additional patrols were conducted over the holiday break, and authorities watched riders around popular camping areas in Victoria, DSE North East Trail Bike Project Officer Felicity Wardlaw said.
“Easter was a popular time for trail bike riders to head for the bush, and licensed and registered riders were welcome to use the 36,000 kilometres of forest road in Victoria’s state forests and parks,” Ms Wardlaw said.
Riders are only permitted to ride on official roads and tracks on public land if they have a motorcycle licence, their bike is registered, and they are wearing an approved helmet.
Normal road rules apply in state forests and parks.
Ms Wardlaw said licence demerit points for motorcycle offences also applied to riders’ licences.
As the monitoring continues, unlicensed riders can expect a fine of over $500 if they are caught riding in state forests and parks, and if the bike is also unregistered the total fine is close to $900, she said.
Easter weekend was also popular for other visitors to forests and parks for camping, walking, mountain-bike riding and other outdoor activities.
“We urge riders to slow down at all times of the year, reduce engine noise, and ride with extra care near camping and picnic areas during this holiday period, or when close to other people, especially horse riders,” Ms Wardlaw said.
“Unfortunately, some parents allow their children to illegally ride mini-bikes in state forests and parks. This is very unsafe and parents need to remember that riders without a licence and registration are only permitted to ride on private property.”
Compliance operations focusing on unlicensed and unregistered motorcycle use will be conducted by DSE Forest Officers and Victoria Police throughout the year as part of the State Government’s $5 million Trail Bike Project to improve the management of trail bikes on public land.