By LIA SPENCER
UNREGISTERED motorbikes are being seized in a joint council and police crack-down on illegal and unsafe riding.
Casey Council has formed a blitz to stop illegal driving of motorbikes in council reserves.
Together with local police, they will continue to patrol and monitor public places and enforce the local law concerning the use of recreational vehicles, including unregistered motorbikes.
Casey Council has seized and impounded 20 unregistered motorbikes since 2008, and have now crushed 15 of the unclaimed motorbikes. Four motorbikes have been reclaimed by the owners at a cost of $512 each, and one motorbike remains impounded.
The blitz comes at the same time an independent research, commissioned by law firm Slater and Gordon, found that motorcyclists were regularly involved in near misses.
According to the TAC, 122 motorcyclists were hospitalised and two people have died after crashes in the City of Casey since August 2012.
Sergeant Pat McGavigan from the Casey Highway Patrol said that number reported by TAC was not “out-of-line” with the rest of injuries sustained in car crashes across Casey.
He said in an effort to drive down the number of crashes on local roads, police were targeting all road users to ensure they abide by the law, as well as working with council to uphold their local law regarding unregistered motorbikes.
“The majority of motorcyclists are doing the right thing and being safe, but a minority of riders aren’t riding registered bikes, wearing the right protective gear, or driving without lights on,” Sgt McGavigan said.
“We are looking at all riders, registered bikes, back roads and local riders. Casey has a local law for impounding and we are working with them as well.”
The City of Casey Community Local Law 2/2010 states that a person or owner must not, except with a permit, park, drive or ride a registered or unregistered vehicle or recreational vehicle in or on a public place, road, reserve or council land, unless the area has been designed or developed for that purpose.
Residents who witness a person driving a recreational vehicle in a public place are encouraged to phone City of Casey Customer Service on 9705 5200 or the Police.
