Monkey bike hoons in Carrum and Patterson Lakes leave locals fearful for their safety
GROUPS of reckless mini bike hoons are “taunting drivers” in suburban streets around Patterson Lakes and Carrum, and scared locals fear it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.
Inner South
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GROUPS of reckless mini bike hoons are “taunting drivers” in suburban streets, weaving through traffic and narrowly missing pedestrians.
And four public parks around Edithvale have been torn up by the illegal riders in recent weeks.
Furious locals say they fear another death from the mini bikes and police have told the Leader they get almost 5000 calls a year across Melbourne about the “deadly” behaviour.
Chelsea Acting Senior Sergeant David Quirk has warned of “ultimately unforgiving consequences”.
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A woman, who did not want to be named for fear of retribution, said a range of motorised bikes were being ridden dangerously by groups of youths through Patterson Lakes and Carrum.
“It’s not just monkey bikes, it’s dirt bikes and motorised mountain bikes,” she said.
Kingston city assets and environment general manager Daniel Freer said the council was “disappointed” that Roy Dore Reserve, Bicentennial Park, Kerr Avenue Reserve and Edithvale Recreation Reserve had been damaged by mini bikes recently.
He urged anyone who sees the illegal activity to call police.
Sen-Sgt Quirk said often inexperienced riders, without helmets, used parklands, roads, “even footpaths at times” with a disregard for rules or the public.
Police have the power to seize and impound monkey bikes if used on a road or a road related area and if not claimed the bike can be destroyed.
The issue has been a hot topic on social media.
Kim Michelle posted that her elderly father was almost knocked over by an unregistered rider on the Patterson River walking trail.
Jennifer Wilcox said she was abused by a young man on a small motorbike near Kananook Creek.
“Sad day when I don’t feel safe to walk in my own neighbourhood,” she posted
“Who could forget poor Andrea Lehane who lost her life to a fool like this in 2015 in Carrum Downs?” Rik Price posted.
Ms Lehane was knocked down by Caleb Jakobsson at a shopping centre and died a few days later in hospital. Jakobsson was sentenced to seven years jail in 2017.
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