By Charlene Macaulay
An unlicensed Truganina motorcyclist riding an unregistered bike got more than he bargained for when he was pulled up by police last week.
The 41-year-old was fined a total $1812 – including $806 for unlicensed riding, $806 for riding an unregistered vehicle, and $200 for riding through parklands – after he was caught riding through footpaths along Skeleton Creek, Hoppers Crossing, about 3.45pm on August 24.
The man allegedly told police he wasn’t aware he needed a licence to ride the motorbike.
Westgate Highway Patrol unit commander Keith Kissack said the motorcyclist was caught by police patrolling on trail bikes.
Last year, Wyndham council spent $30,000 on two trail bikes for Wyndham Police to increase patrols of public reserves following increasing complaints from local residents about hooning.
Skeleton Creek, Gordon O’Keefe Reserve in Wyndham Vale and Laverton North’s Lawrie Emmins Reserve have all been hot spots for dirt bike and monkey bike riders in recent years.
Senior Sergeant Kissack said police receive calls week in and week out in relation to illegal motorcycles riding in parklands and streets.
“We’d like to thank the public for the information provided in relation to these riders who are riding illegally and causing fear within the community,” he said.
“I want to also reassure the public that we act on any information we receive. Please give us a call; let us know what is going on.
“Police have received reports of riders speeding in parklands, past families walking their dogs or pushing their children in their prams.
“We want our parklands, footpaths and bike tracks to be safe. We won’t tolerate this sort of behaviour.”
Anyone with information in relation to illegal riding in parklands and off road can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
