Monkey business

By Melissa Grant
MONKEY bikers who take their business onto public land will have their motorcycles impounded for six months under tough new laws passed by Cardinia Shire Council.
And riders who don’t pay impoundment fees will have their bikes destroyed.
Pakenham Police have welcomed the local law, but say the council needs to provide monkey bikers with a place to ride.
Monkey bikes, which typically can reach speeds of 70km/h, are popular in Cardinia Shire with police receiving daily complaints about people riding them.
It is now an offence to ride an unregistered monkey, mini or trail bike on roads and public places within the municipality, including reserves.
Acting Sergeant Anthony Templar, of Cardinia’s Traffic Unit (TMU), said the law would be useful for police, but there was still no place for the bikers to legally ride.
“We welcome the legislation … there are obviously residents who are quite annoyed with the noise associated with these bikes,” he said. “But the council has to find a place where these bikes can be used.”
The new local law is similar to one that Frankston City Council introduced in 2007. Twenty-seven motorcycles were impounded in the first month of the law being introduced, and police complaints have gone from 40 to one or two a week.
Cardinia Shire Council introduced the local law last month after a request from the Cockatoo Township Committee.
“People in the hills will be grateful for this law,” Ranges Ward councillor Ed Chatwin said.
Frankston City mayor Colin Hampton said it was great other shires were introducing the local law, but like Acting Sgt Templar, he said the council needed to provide a recreational riding facility.
“We were able to introduce it here because we have an alternative for them, a motorcycle park where kids can pay a small fee and ride them safely with insurance and people there to supervise them,” he said. “You have to tackle the problem but you also have to provide a solution.”
Penalties range from fines, which increase for subsequent offences, and impoundment of illegally used motor cycles.
Riders will have their bike impounded for six months and charged a $250 release fee and holding fee of $300 for a first offence.
This increases to a 12-month impoundment plus a $250 release fee and $600 holding fee for second offence.
The council also has the power to destroy an impounded motorcycle if the owner has not paid the fines within 28 days of receiving the penalty notice.
Cr Hampton said 80 motorcycles had been destroyed since the Frankston City Council introduced the monkey bike law.
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