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MINI MOTOS
 Essentially I feel qualified to put forth my thoughts being both Clerk to 4 Councils and having set up a mini moto race team, and being involved in a mini moto Project.
As Clerk I receive numerous complaints about youngsters hurtling around villages placing themselves and others at risk which I had to address (normally by talking to the youngsters and advising of where they can legally ride their bikes). But I can also identify with these youngsters ... they have this fun item yet nowhere to ride it.
They fall into two categories - (as in the adult biking world) - some simply do not care that they are riding these bikes illegally. They are often the children of parents who do not care. The remainder have discovered the frustrations of public liability - going to the effort of identifying land suitable to ride on, brave and organised enough to approach the owners, only to be turned down by sympathetic but nervous landowners who fear the possibility of being sued.
It should also be considered that our Government has allowed dangerous and inferior bikes in their thousands to be offered for sale from inappropriate outlets to somewhat naive customers.
Is there a way to solve/control this issue to everyone’s satisfaction?
Illegal Riders - There is a certain core of youngsters that no matter what facilities are provided - they will never use them.
The thrill for them is flouting or believing that the law does not apply to them. This attitude will probably remain with them throughout their lives. The Police resort to confiscating their bikes and crushing them - I can sympathise with this action for persistent offenders, but warnings and options should be offered first, and should confiscation be the only final option the bikes should not be crushed but offered to mini moto projects.
Track days - in West Norfolk, and no doubt other areas, there are go kart tracks which offers dedicated mini moto track days, normally providing a separate novice and experienced rider track. The cost? - normally £20 for the bike and £5 for each rider, and the necessity for a willing adult to ferry bike and riders to the track.
Mini Moto Projects - I am aware of parties trying to set these up, we have in West Norfolk a multi agency Project - Moto KL (for which I am the coordinator) involving the Borough Council, Norfolk Arena (Speedway Track), Norfolk Constabulary, Youth Offenders Team, is launching a racing league (at no cost to teams and bikes provided).
I realise many areas do not have such Agencies prepared to dedicate the time and effort or have the necessary venue to set up such projects.
But I feel many Councils have buried their heads in the sand and have a unnecessary prejudice towards mini motos - taking an automatic aggressive stance with absolutely no desire to consider options.
When the skateboard began its rise in popularity local Councils spent thousands of pounds on providing local skate parks (the average minimum cost being £40,000 upwards.
I believe that mini motos are no more dangerous than skateboards (I have tried both and lasted all of 2 minutes on a skate board before injuring myself, yet coming to no harm scrunched onto a mini moto).
They are both capable of being propelled at the same sort of speeds and causing equal amounts of damage when coming into contact with bodies or property. Considering the vast investment into skate parks - the same facilities should be offered to mini moto riders through free track usage at go kart tracks (most areas possess such a facility) the Councils could lease track time and offer this free to owner riders.
Freelance Teams - I have myself set up such a team - it can be done. Obviously the major problem is public liability insurance. I was highly amused - NOT - with the glowing article in the September issue of Motorcycled Monthly about the ACU.
My comment - there must be two ACU's because when I approached the ACU for help and guidance - I was treated with complete contempt - advised that mini motos were merely toys and to go away and stop bothering them.
Through support from the Motorcycle Action Group (unlike the BMF who, as stated in the same Motorcycle Monthly article, 'are in support of the Government's crackdown'), the Borough Council, a local business, and a landowner.
A 'sensible' major Insurance Company was finally sourced who provide insurance cover for Community Projects.
A Landowner granted permission to use one of its concrete ‘pads’ on the condition that its usage was controlled by an adult and the necessary insurance was in place. Job done - youngsters were able to enjoy riding mini motos legally.
It would be most helpful if the money and man hours dedicated to cracking down on the mini moto usage were used instead to support this fun activity.
So next time you hear someone complain about youngsters riding mini motos ask them for their details and how many hours a month they can dedicate to assisting with running a safe venue! You may not get an offer of help but it shuts them up!!!
Shan Tedder - Mid Lincs MAG
MINI MOTO VENUES – IN NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK (MAG East Anglia Region)
Moto KL at Norfolk Arena: This is a FREE project for young people aged 12-16 years old involving racing mini moto bikes. Teams of six riders (no riding experience necessary) will take part in a specially created race league at Norfolk Arena Speedway Track, with some races being held on the same night as the Speedway racing in front of capacity crowds. Bikes,training, and all equipment is provided FREE by the Moto KL project. The project is open to Teams throughout Norfolk. To register a Team or for further information telephone Moto KL - Coordinator - Shan Tedder on 01366 377 001 or email: fastbike@supanet.com
Norfolk Arena (Speedway) Track: Commencing March 2007. (Home venue of Moto KL) Draft details are: Every Thursday. Your mini moto and helmet will have to be up to acceptable safety standard. Equipment can be hired.
www.norfolkarena.co.uk or contact Jonathan Chapman on 01553 771 111.
Anglia Karting Centre: The Airfield,North Pickenham, PE37 BLL.(just outside Swaffham, Norfolk) Tel: 01760 441 777 or visit
www.anglia-karting.co.uk Dedicated mini moto days - check for dates. £20 per bike plus £5 for every rider for the whole day. Two tracks - Novice & Experienced. Club House. Spectators free. Refreshments. New for this year Mini Moto Grand Prix.
Anglia Indoor Kart Racing: 12 Farthing Road, Ipswich. There is mini moto night on the first Tuesday of every month. The cost is £20 per bike with £5 for an additional rider. All riders must have their own race suits, leathers or boiler suits, we can supply them for you for a £3 hire charge. The next mini moto night is on the 07/11/06. Tel:01473240087 or email: info@kartingipswich.com or visit www.kartingipswich.com/contactus.html
Off Roading Track – Swaffham: On the A1122 (just before Swaffham Stock Car Racing Track) and A47 roundabout.
Woodland off road track. Bring your own bike. £25 (last known price) for the day. Open weekends only. Tea Hut.
Red Lodge Karting: The Grange, Red Lodge, Near Newmarket, Suffolk Tel: 01638 552 316 or visit www.redlodge.co.uk £25 per bike per rider. Track open last Monday of every month 5-9pm
Ellough Park Raceway: Mini Moto Track Days, Ellough Park Raceway, Ellough Park Raceway, Benacre Road, Ellough, Suffolk NR34 7XD. Tel/Fax: 01502 717718.www.elloughparkraceway.co.uk/
Evolution Karting: Every Saturday 7-9pm. £15 per bike. Tel: 01493 850 066 or www.evolutionkarting.com
Wild Tracks: Chippenham Road, Kennett, Newmarket, CB8 7QJ . Website: www.wildtracksltd.co.uk Tel: 01638 751918 Adventure Days offer great entertainment and excellent value for individuals and small groups. No need to pre-book (unless you want to save money). Just turn up and ride. Open to the public on the first Sunday of every month between 10am and 4pm. Facilities include a café open for drinks and snacks, children’s adventure playground, toilets and the opportunity to watch a motocross or supermoto practice session or race meeting. Most rides are approximately 15 mins. Bikes etc provided Quad Bikes Child £7 (50cc) - Teen £10 (85cc) Moto cross Child £30
Yarmouth Indoor Karting Track: Air cooled mini motos only. Located at Pleasure Beach, Great Yarmouth.
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