BIKERS ARE BREAKING LAW

THE letter from Beth Holt (‘Bikers threat to moorland’, January 29) graphically describes from her first-hand experience the damage to moorland and danger to livestock caused by off-road motorcycles.

She could have added that off-road motor bikers also break down gates, walls and fences to get access to land they want to ride on.

Repairing this damage can cost hundreds of pounds, but that doesn’t seem to matter to these bikers.

I am sure that there are riders who claim they don’t do this, but they are just as guilty when they happily ride through the gaps made by those that do.

A key point not mentioned by either Beth or the Scribbler (‘Off-bike yobs threatening future of our countryside’) is that this activity is illegal.

It is against the law to ride a motorbike on land off the road without the landowner’s permission.

The land in question is owned by either Peel Holdings or United Utilities and neither of these have granted permission for riding motorcycles on their land.

There are even notices on the moors spelling out which bits of the road Traffic Acts are being broken.

So off-roaders cannot even plead ignorance of the law and the police should add this to any charges brought against them.

Janet Ingham Helmshore Road, Haslingden