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Two Items for the Mini-Moto Group
22/12/2005 - A miracle for Christmas from the Camberly Herald.
A TEENAGER declared brain dead by doctors two weeks ago after a motorcycle accident is making a miraculous recovery.
Stefan Matthews, 17, from Sandhurst, suffered severe head injuries when he crashed into a metal barrier while riding a mini motorcycle — known as a mini moto — along a footpath between Isis Way and Owlsmoor Road on November 29.
He was airlifted to hospital in Slough and transferred to a specialist unit at Charing Cross Hospital in London. But doctors later told his devastated parents they were “99.9% certain” he was completely brain dead. He was kept alive on a life support machine so his organs could be harvested for transplant.
As word spread that all hope had gone, Stefan’s friends in Sandhurst began laying flowers at the gate of Sandhurst School, which he used to attend.
They wrote dozens of messages about how much they would miss him and how he would never be forgotten.
Meanwhile his parents Kerry and Colyn began the grieving process. But they kept a vigil at the bedside trying to prepare for the moment when the life support machine would be turned off.
Then a few days later, a miracle happened. Stefan began to show signs of life. At first it was just a little brain activity, then there were more signs of recovery.
Stefan is still very ill, but he has been taken off the life support machine. Despite his grave injuries, the teenager has tried to communicate, but is prevented from doing so by a pipe in his throat.
On Tuesday he was reported to be capable of moving all his limbs and was due to undergo a series of clinical tests with a speech therapist present.
His mother said that she could not believe she had regained her son after turning her attention to grieving when all hope seemed to be lost.
And she wanted to warn other parents of the potential dangers of mini motos. She said: “I have been through the worst day of my life. If I can do anything to prevent just one person from going through what I went through, I will. “My question to other parents is this — do you love your kids enough not to buy them one of these bikes?”
Cllr Peter North, who represents Central Sandhurst, said the teenager’s parents had been put on an emotional roller-coaster by his changing prognosis. After they contacted Cllr North he began a campaign to make parents and teenagers more aware of the dangers posed by bikes like the one on which Stefan was injured.
He said: “These mini bikes are great fun — I do not want to be a killjoy. “But whatever warnings you give to your kids will go in one ear and out the other. “If I had one of these bikes and was young, I would be having a ball whenever and wherever I could, and would pay little or no regard to the risks. “The best bet is not to buy them at all.”
He added that he hoped parents would not be swayed by the joy they would give their children by buying them a mini moto for Christmas, and would think of the longterm risks.
Mr Matthews, like Cllr North a keen motorcyclist, said: “The only safe place to use these bikes is on a track or at a venue which is built for the purpose. “There is nothing like that near here so buying one of these machines is simply asking for trouble. “My advice is this — if you don’t want to put your kids at risk, don’t buy one of these machines for them. “If you already have, only allow them to be used at a safe venue.”
Mini motos have high-revving engines and some can reach 70mph.
There is no minimum age for riding one on private land and Cllr North has asked dealers to clearly inform buyers they are not meant to be used on public roads.
No doubt many youngsters would love to have a mini moto on Christmas Day.
Mr and Mrs Matthews are happy just to have their son.
INFLATABLE GO-PED TRACK LETS KIDS RIDE ‘RIGHT WAY’
Borehamwood & Elstree Times by Paul Leat
 A HOLMER Green businessman has come up with an ingenious solution to the surge of mini-motos and gopeds illegally driven on Wycombe roads.
Chris Benn, 28, has designed an inflatable race track that can be used by youngsters with go-peds and mini motorbikes instead of terrorising residents by driving in the street.
The track will primarily be used for corporate entertainment as part of his Formula Fun company, but Mr Benn has offered to hire out the equipment to the police and councils in the worst affected areas in the district.
Mr Benn said: "The Wycombe police have got a major problem with these bikes and it is costing them a lot of time and resources. I'm more than happy to help with the track if I can. "I had no idea how big the problem was here, the number of people who have come across these bikes is immense."
The inflatable track has already attracted interest from Thames Valley Police, youth groups and Wycombe District Council.
PC Mark Jenkins, from Neighbourhood Policing, said police have been dealing with the illegal use of bikes and go-peds for many years. He said: "This is not a new problem. We want to be able to re-educate people on the proper use of these mini motorbikes.
"They are not to be used on the roads. The only places they can be used are in private property."
Petrol-driven scooters, or go-peds as they are known, and mini motos are classified as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act.
Riders need insurance, tax and are required to wear a helmet for their vehicle to be road-worthy.
PC Jenkins said residents in Downley were among the worst affected by illegal motorbike riding, but believes Mr Benn's venture could help teach kids about the proper use of their bikes.
He said: "Just before Christmas, the last thing we want is for people who have bought one to think they cannot use it at all.
"We hope the inflatable track can encourage youngsters to come along and use their bikes in the right way."
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