A COUNCIL and police blitz on unlawful motorcycle use will start soon, with fines to $6000.
Police and council officers will target areas like the Bayside Conservation Area, Redland Track Park, Scribbly Gums Conservation Reserve off Vienna Road and the Greater Glider conservation management area, Capalaba.
Unregistered trail bikes, mini-bikes and even converted lawn mowers are regularly ridden in conservation reserves and on streets surrounding Hilliards State School, Alexandra Hills, including Hanover Drive, Nanette Court, McDonald Road and Fisher Street.
Fines for unlawful use of motorcycles in reserves can range up to a maximum of $6095 if prosecuted or $609 for an infringement notice
Mayor Karen Williams said motorbikes were a potential hazard to riders and other users of trails including walkers, runners and cyclists.
She said mountain bike riders had been attracted in increasing numbers to Redlands conservation areas and the crack down on illegal activities would be city wide.
The use of motorcycles and quads was unlawful and clearly signed in conservation areas.
“The fact that a number of trail bike users are entering the conservation areas through more remote access points or damaging fencing to gain access means they clearly understand this,’’ she said.
“The acronym MTB (mountain bikes) signed in our track parks and conservation areas applies to non-motorised mountain bicycles (a legitimate activity in council reserves) and not motorised bikes.
“Motorised trail bike use in conservation areas is damaging to wildlife and plants in sensitive environmental areas and is potentially dangerous to other legitimate users.
“Motorbikes can cause severe erosion, including damage to carefully designed trails that have taken years of efforts to establish and maintain.’’
Cr Williams said council appreciated that motorised trail bike riding was a popular pursuit and a skilled sport.
“It is for this reason that council has co-invested in regional trail bike facilities established on 745 hectares of land at Wyaralong, about 25 kilometers west of Beaudesert,’’ she said.
“Councillors and users recently helped celebrate the opening of new trail head facilities at the Redland Track Park in Cleveland.
“These trails are important community and conservation resources that help attract key events and visitors to the city. Council ... asks that all users respect these areas.”
