§ Huw Irranca-DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on the issue of illegal use of off-road motorcycles in(a) the last three years and (b) the last six years. [108612]
§ Mr. JamiesonWe have received 10 letters about off-road motorcycles from Members of Parliament from 2000 to 2003 and five from 1997 to 1999.
§ Huw Irranca-DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake a review of legislation relating to the illegal use of off-road motorcycles and other vehicles on public highways, cycle paths and pedestrian areas. [108614]
§ Mr. JamiesonThere are already sufficient powers to regulate the use of motorcycles off-road, and we do not see the need for a review of the legislation.
A vehicle—even if specifically designed for off-road use—used on the public highway should comply with the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. The rider should also hold a current driving licence, vehicle excise duty, insurance, and wear a safety helmet. A motorcyclist riding an off-road machine on a road could be prosecuted for failing to comply with these requirements.
There is no evidence to suggest that other vehicles are being used illegally to cause serious problems.
§ Huw Irranca-DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals for a minimum age restriction for the use of off-road motorcycles. [108616]
§ Mr. JamiesonThere is no evidence of any problem with off-road riders to justify legislation.
§ Huw Irranca-DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals for(a) a statutory driving licence for the use of off road motorcycles and (b) a national registration scheme. [108674]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe riders of motorcycles used both on and off road are required to have a driving licence. Should scramble bikes be used solely off road there is no requirement for a driving licence, and we do not believe it would be justified.
A national registration scheme for all off road motorcycles would be costly to set up and administer.
§ Huw Irranca-DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish the public consultation paper on off road motorcycling; and what the remit of that consultation will be. [108676]
§ Mr. JamiesonWe are not consulting on off road motorcycling.
§ Huw Irranca-DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many charges for breach of the peace and causing a nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1993 have been brought by local authorities against the nuisance use of off-road motorcycles. [108615]
588W
§ Alun MichaelI have been asked to reply.
National data are not collected to this level of detail.
Voluntary returns from 308 (82 per cent.) of English and Welsh Local Authorities reported that in 2001—02, 1,548 abatement notices were issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in response to noise nuisance related to commercial and leisure (including sporting) activities.
Source:
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), 2002.