Mini-motos equals major menace claim critics

Posted : 17-01-2006

Critics have condemned mini-motorbikes, or mini-motos as one of the most acute and fastest growing menaces in the country.

Mini motos are smaller scale motorbikes, but are still capable of reaching speeds of 30mph just inches from the ground. Some mini-motos can go as fast as 60mph.

The shopping website Boystuff.co.uk describes the mini-moto thus: "The mini moto is one of the most amazing boys toys we've seen in a long time. Serious thrillseekers and hedonists should waste no time in climbing aboard one of these things.”

The site urges customers to "experience the rush of motorbike racing in the park or the garden with no licence required".

Although Boystuff.co.uk specifies that mini motos are illegal on public highways, the site has been slammed for glamourising and encouraging reckless behaviour.

But concerns over their safety have had little effect on sales, which reached 100,000 in 2005, according to the Motor Cycle Industry Association. But with two dogs killed by children riding them illegally in a park in Wiltshire on Christmas Day, many fear that it will not be long before there are human fatalities.

But mini-motos have not faced universal criticism. Craig Carey-Clinch, spokesman for the Motor Cycle Industry Association said he believes mini motos "are a good way of introducing people to road use". But he did admit that in some cases illegally ridden mini motos are causing a major problem.

One solution proposed by the Auto Cycle Union (ACU), the governing body for motorbike racing calls for councils to convert car parks and other public spaces into safely monitored race tracks.


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