Noisy and Dangerous 'On Road' Motorbikes,. Enough Is Enough!!

Mark Charlesworth made this Freedom of Information request to Northumberland County Council

The request was partially successful.

From: Mark Charlesworth

29 March 2009

Dear Sir or Madam,

I have had recent cause to make a 999 call as I was nearly run over
by a libido and testosterone fuelled middled aged boy on a toy. He
overtook in a very dangerous spot and as I pedestrian I was faced
with the choice: Get run over by the car or bike. He and his 2
friends narrowly missed me but parked their bikes on a blind bend
to wait for me. I was then threatened. A witness to the first event
hung around to make sure I was ok.

I would like to know how many complaints, broken down per year from
2004 to 2008 inclusive their have been about dangerous and/or noisy
motorbikes. I would also like to know how many, as a separate
question and figure, have been prosecuted - caution, asbo, fine etc
by Northumberland Council?

With regards to noisy illegal bikes. I only request on road
figures.

As a final query I put it to the Council Chief, what are you doing
to tackle the ever increasing noisy and
dangerous bikes on the rural roads. It is clear that education is
not working. Would you consider a by-law limiting motorbikes to
40mph. Not only would this reduce the noise it would reduce deaths
and serious injury.

Recently on the news a lady met the paramedic team that saved her
when she had an 'accident'. It turned out in her words that she was
straddling the white line and her knee hit an oncoming car that was
being driven correctly. It is not just a noise burden on locals but
they also pose a high risk. Given the resources used to scoop up
the mess why not prevent the incident all together? A lot of
tourists are put off coming here due to the noise.

Yours faithfully,

Mark Charlesworth NE61 4PH

Link to this

From: Freedom Of Information
Northumberland County Council

30 March 2009

Dear Mr Charlesworth,

Thank you for your request for information on dangerous/noisy motorbikes.
Your request was received on 30th March and I am dealing with it under
the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I will
let you know the likely charges before proceeding.

If you have any queries about this matter, please contact me. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

Regards

John Harrison
Performance Officer
Corporate Performance Team
Chief Executive's Directorate
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF
01670 534025
[email address]

Northumberland made the following annotations

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Harrison, John
Northumberland County Council

2 April 2009

Dear Mr Charlesworth

I refer to your Freedom of Information enquiry and would inform you that
Northumberland County Council have not taken any form of action against
individuals in respect of noisy/dangerous motorcycles.

The County Council can only become involved in cases where trespass or
off-road use are involved.

The type of action which you have detailed is more likely to be taken by
the Police Force as they have statutory powers for "on road" users.

I have been informed that you will receive a separate response in relation
to the query which you addressed to the Council Chief.

Regards

John Harrison
Performance Officer
Corporate Performance Team
Chief Executive's Directorate
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF
01670 534025
[email address]

Northumberland made the following annotations

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Barrington, Victoria
Northumberland County Council

6 April 2009

Dear Mr Charlesworth,

Public Protection unfortunately does not have the powers to deal with the
issue you are concerned with. Your request has therefore been passed to
the Community Safety department of the Council for their consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Victoria Barrington

Mrs V.R.Barrington. LL.M. MCIEH

Head of Public Protection

Development & Regulatory Services

Northumberland County Council

County Hall

MORPETH

Tel: 01670 533949

Northumberland made the following annotations

show quoted sections

Link to this

Things to do with this request

Anyone:
Northumberland County Council only: