RANT!!!!

[tiltboy]

Permission to rant please!

Just been to take the dog for a walk on one of Rutlands finer BRIDLEWAYS with my wife and 5 year old son. I parked the Defender at the end of the lane, (gated to deter motorvehicles and travellers) and openned the back door to let the dog out. At which point 3 trail bikes appeared on the lane and made thier way quickly towards us.

The first biker discovered that he couldn't get past the truck so he barged my rear door shut and sped off. I shouted after him that he was bang out of order and shouldn't even be on a BRIDLEWAY anyway.

The second biker then started to verbally abuse me and even my wife, telling uss that off raoders are the reason that lanes become bridleways in the first place and that along with horses we cause most damage while bikers are blameless!! He and the third rider then rode off flicking the V's at us. Charming!    

All this from a rider who was illegally using a BRIDLEWAY, had no protective clothing on and had no model or make on his bike anywhere, just the word ASBO on his tank!  

In Rutland we only have 3 Byways, the rest are dual status or already downgraded. I simply cannot understand this behaviour.

I'm sick and tired of this "brigade" of bikers. Being overtaken on lanes, watching them wheelie past dog walkers and other members of the public and even seeing them off the track on a very contraversial lane near me which is part historic monument!!

I think I'll have a quiet sit down for a minute - soon as I've phoned the council!!  :twisted:

Rant over!

[Bush Tucker Man]

Sound like they could be chav scum anyway

[tiltboy]

Yep probably, the ASBO rider definately didn't have a local accent.

Anyone know his bike?

AE54RHK?

[Evilgoat]

http://www.vehiclelicence.gov.uk/EvlPortalApp/

Veichle enquiry and see if its taxed etc :)
If not, give the plod a call.

[Evilgoat]

http://www.vehiclelicence.gov.uk/EvlPortalApp/

Veichle enquiry and see if its taxed etc :)
If not, give the plod a call.

Actually if they had no helmets gear on you should speak to the plod anyway. Lanes etc still require you to comply with traffic laws.

[Eeyore]

Give plod a call regardless - illegal use and verbal assault.

So, if your truck is an 'offroader', what does that make his bike?  :roll:

Apart from highly likely to be not taxed, tested and insured.  

Permission for rant granted. Carry on.

cheers
 8)
Eeyore

[tiltboy]

Thanks all.

I've spoken to rights of way at Rutland County Council. Very helpful chap said he'd contact police.

We'll see.

I might just do it myself as well.

Evilgoat, you need a make/model for that enquiry and ASBO doesn't work!
Nice idea though!

Cheers,

Jez

[Jas278]

There nothing worse than having your DOOR DAMAGED A Jez :shock:  

[POTASH]

that bike reg isnt even registered to anyone so it isnt taxed and cant be insured

[K9Jim]

i would advise NOW LOOKING for any signs of criminal damage, or any imprint of clothing/ shoe left behind.
look carefully then phone my colleges for your area dude.
they have committed offences, certainly under the Public Order Act, especially if your little one overheard and saw it. Was he and your missus harrassed, alarmed or distressed in any way by their actions ?  

[C C]

Just beign Devil’s advocate for a moment. But if there is only 3 Byways in the area what incentive is there for youngsters to behave legally. As more lanes are lost to us the illegal use of bridleways and other tracks is likely to increase.
Ok they were out of order abusing you but I’d lay the blame at the NIMBYs, Ramblers and hand wringing lentlists for making it almost impossible for youngsters to enjoy going off road legally.

[rangerider]

To be honest, I am not convinced that if every ibyway n the land was legally passable by motor vehicles that these particular people would have behaved any differently. I bet they would have been just the same on any BOAT or ORPA. It is people like this as much as the RA etc that are to blame for our predicament

I personally have recieved funny looks from walkers for "having words" with other drivers/riders.

[Tiny Tim]

True enough but no need to behave like that.

Down here we have a couple of council sponsored motorcycle projects but if they cant stick to the rules they'd be out quick.

Call police yourself mate - sometimes all they need is evidence to put bike, rider, and behaviour all together and get a result.

[Bulli]

CC i think you missed the point a little . From what i can gather these guys were flouting several laws.
No helmet....errr illegal and plain dumb
harrasing a member of the public, thats just plain nasty.

Im sorry but im not a bleeding heart liberal, Kids used to do that kind of crap when i was a teenager so recent events have nothing to do with their behaviour.
Arseholes will always be arseholes - scumbags like them got the lanes closed. In the States you could have legally shot him...now maybe thats a good idea :shock:

[C C]

I did say ‘Devil’s advocate’ and I did not excuse their behaviour. But if there is no legitimate alternative. What are youngsters to do? We are loosing legal lanes hand over fist and often as not any kind of scheme to provide an outlet for off road riding (or driving) is quashed by NIMBYs.

I recently had a slightly different experience than tiliboy. While out walking my dog through some forestry commission woods. Two lads came along on dirt bikes. While I gathered the dog up all ready to at least give them a dirty look. They slowed down and trundled past giving me a wave as they did so. One bike looked road legal the other was not.
Until recently the legal biker would have had several RUPPs locally to ride on. Now he has none.
A year ago I might have had a word and encouraged them to use legal routes. What could I as a responsible adult tell them now?

Go play on an X-Box.

[Bulli]

yes cc thats the right thing to say "go play on an x box"

I know you are trying to make it more about the plight of lanes and the lack of options.
 We have kids that go on the field behind where i live. The bikes are illegal and the nearest legal place for them is Doncaster(9 miles). Bikes that are not road legal have and always will act irresponsibly . The have NO right to use these ANYWHERE . They are not legal.
When someone is seriously injured or killed by these people (not only kids btw) then whats the answer??
They were only having fun??
They had nowhere to carry out their illegal activity so it was BOUND to happen??
Sorry they deserve no sympathy they arent the same as me, I drive legal ROW in an insured, taxed and Mot'd . I used to mountain bike a hell of a lot maybe you should tell these lazy arseholes to sell there illegal piece of crap and do something that wont be against the law.

[tiltboy]

Hi All.

Thanks for the replies. Interesting to see the differences in opinion.

Sorry, but I can't see that the limited number of Byways in Rutland is any excuse for using a Motorcycle on a bridleway. We are the smallest county in Britain, so you're never far away from another county's Byways. They were less than half a mile away from a great BOAT in Leicestershire and no they didn't use it!

Secondly, they weren't kids. The guy on the ASBO bike was wearing a Pee-pot helmet and was clearly in his 40's!!. Also his accent was definately not local, so why travel to break the law?

Living so close to the Viking way, it does get quite tiring seeing bikers tearing up greenlanes, but there's not much you can do about that is there. However, when they're on a particularly nice Bridleway it has to stop. So yes I have contacted the Police.

Forgive my sceptisism but, Leicestershire police - take an interest? I think not! Officer that I spoke to was quite concerned that I had black and silver number plates on my Defender though. Great.

JAS -  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
Nice one!

Cheers

Jez