Cade Lucas
Practice areas not police are the solution to Wyndham’s dirtbike hoon problem according to the Motorcycle Riders Association Australia.
The MRAA is calling for designated off-road motorbike riding areas to be established in Wyndham arguing they will reduce the number of young riders practising on the streets.
Victoria Police recently announced a crackdown on dirtbike hooning in Wyndham following a series of incidents involving young motorcyclists riding illegally.
On June 29 a group of 15 riders allegedly surrounded and harassed police in Williams Landing after one of the group had been arrested.
On September 3, Hoppers Crossing teenager Ali El-Houli and cousin Zena El-Houli were killed when the unregistered dirtbikes they were riding at night collided at Grangefields near Melton.
MRAA national spokesman Damien Codognotto said while laws still need to be enforced, a punitive approach was the wrong way to address the problem.
“It makes the kids sneakier and it destroys their respect for police,” he said.
“Prohibition does not work.”
MRAA comittee member and Werribee resident Chris Swalwell agreed, arguing illegal motorcycle riding had been a longstanding problem in the area.
“I’ve been here for 13 years now and pretty much from the time I got here I’ve seen kids riding around on dirtbikes without helmets, without rego,” Mr Swalwell said.
“They seem to do it with a sense of impunity.”
Mr Swalwell said part of the problem was that off-road riders in Wyndham had few places to ride legally.
“We’ve got one track out in this region, but the Wyndham area is a very large area, from Point Cook to Tarneit and it’s the fasted growing region in the country so it stands to reason that we need more facilities for people including off-road riders. We’ve got plenty of land out here.”
Damien Codognotto said such a facility could have a other benefits.
“Teenage motorcyclists and police can meet in an atmosphere of mutual respect. They can learn machine disciplines, safety checks and how to choose and look after protective clothing.“
In response, Victoria Police reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on hoon behaviour.
“For those thinking they can ride around our streets in groups while conducting ridiculous behaviour on these bikes – be assured that we will find you, seize your bike and lay charges where appropriate,“ said Westgate Police Division Inspector, Jennifer Horgan.
Wyndham council was contacted for comment.
