SOME young off-road trail bike riders are risking their lives by crossing Wanneroo Rd to refuel their bikes at a service station near the Romeo and Karoborup roads intersection.
On Saturday, February 11 just after 3pm Wanneroo MLA Paul Miles and Yanchep News Online both breathed a sigh of relief after a young rider dashed across Wanneroo Rd in a way that could have resulted in him being hit by a car or causing a driver to have to take evasive action.
Mr Miles said he had little issue with the off-road bike riders riding in nearby bushland as there weren’t many places they could ride.
But he was concerned parents were allowing their children to ride across Wanneroo Rd to the service station to refuel their bikes.
The City of Wanneroo said any illegal or dangerous activity on roads should be reported to WA Police.
A city spokeswoman said the city’s website detailed the locations where off road vehicles were permitted.
These include in the City of Wanneroo the Pinjar off-road vehicle area at the corner of Old Yanchep Rd and Wattle Ave, which was controlled by the Department of Parks and Wildlife.
In the City of Swan the Gnangara off road vehicle area off Gnangara Rd in Lexia west of the Beechboro Rd intersection.
In the Shire of Gingin the Lancelin off-road vehicle area – the entrance is off Bootoo St in Ledge Point off road vehicle area (Ledge Point Road, just off Lancelin Road)
The Recreation Trailbike Riders’ Association said off-road trail bike riders do not need a road-registered bike, or a drivers’ licence to ride at the Lancelin off-road area, but if their vehicle was not road registered they must have Off Road Vehicle registration (available from DPI).
Riders must also wear a helmet and full protective gear was highly recommended.
“Many deaths and serious injuries have occurred at Lancelin so it is very important that visitors to the area fully understand the risks and take appropriate precautions,’’ the website said.
The association said most people thought of off-road vehicle registration as just being needed to access the designated off-road vehicle areas.
But another benefit was traceability.
“Changes to the way the Department of Transport stores the off-road vehicle registration details mean that police can access this data to locate the registered owner in the event that a bike or quad is recovered and suspected to be stolen.’’
