Community leader calls for brakes to be put on rogue bikers

Glenrothes: Residents having to dodge dangerous motorcyclists on woodland trails

A Glenrothes community leader is calling for new measures to put the brakes on rogue motorcyclists.

Peter Scobie, chairman of Pitteuchar, Stenton and Finglassie Community Council, said that people were having to dodge dangerous bikers to avoid being knocked down on isolated woodland trails.

He added that he had also witnessed youths riding on public roads in the south of the town and has suggested that a safe space may need to be created for off-road motorcyclists to ride.

“I’ve had complaints from a resident in Finglassie about motorbikes at the south end play park,” he said.

“I’ve spoken to neighbours and they were saying that there had been a nuisance.

“People have been walking along the path and had to jump out of the way when a motorbike has come out of nowhere. “We need positive action,” he said. “I have seen them in Stenton as well, driving on the roads and they don’t give two monkeys.”

Glenrothes’ network of isolated paths have long been a playground for youths on off-road motorcycles.

Problems going back decades have been reported on Boblingen Way, the path that cuts through the heart of the town, while woodland trails, such as those in Finglassie, have also proven popular for those on scrambler bikes.

Encouraged by tactics he has witnessed in England, Mr Scobie said that radical thinking may help to address local concerns.

He continued: “They had major problems in Staffordshire and what the council there did was buy land and work with the police, who would confiscate the bike if they didn’t ride it at this designated site.

“If the police caught them riding anywhere else they would crush the bike.”

Police Scotland said that while it had not received any complaints from the public, anybody affected should make contact.

A spokesperson said: “Police take all incidents of anti-social behaviour seriously and residents are encouraged to report them by emailing GlenrothesCentralThorntonCPT@scotland.pnn. police.uk, attending at their local station or contacting Police Scotland on 101.”

People have been walking along the path and had to jump out of the way when a motorbike has come out of nowhere

Picture: David Wardle. Peter Scobie walks his dog on one of the paths affected by nuisance bikers.