Illegal bikes head for Christmas Crush

Parents are being given a stark warning in the run up to Christmas: buy illegal off-road bikes for presents and they may be crushed.

To reinforce this message Manchester City Council is organising the crushing of confiscated bikes in Longsight this weekend.

There are no public places in Manchester where off-road bikes can be ridden legally and all the bikes to be crushed were confiscated after being ridden illegally in the Longsight and Ardwick areas.

Residents' surveys regularly raise the issue of the noise and nuisance of illegal off-road bikes. The City Council and Greater Manchester Police have joined forces to remove illegally ridden go-peds, mini motos and quad bikes from our streets and open spaces and they're stepping up their campaign in the run up to Christmas.

Manchester City Council's deputy leader Councillor Jim Battle said: "These bikes are being ridden with no regard for local residents. They are noisy, disruptive and dangerous and we are determined that those who continue to flout the law will be dealt with.

"The simple message is do not buy these bikes as Christmas presents. If you do and it's used illegally we will confiscate and crush it. We also urge residents to report the use of these bikes - with the help of local people we believe that together we can crack this problem," he added.

Peter Forster, Neighbourhood Inspector for Ardwick and Longsight said: "I hope the crushing of these vehicles make people think twice before buying one as a Christmas present.

"These vehicles cause a great amount of distress and annoyance to local residents and are dangerous for both the rider and pedestrians. We will continue to work together with our partners on targeted enforcement across the city to sure the streets are safer for everybody."

Reporters and photographers are invited to come along to the crushing event which will be held in Asda car park on Kirkmanshulme Lane in Longsight at 2pm on Saturday.

Media contact:

Sally Wheatman, tel: 0161 234 4045