Peninsula trail and monkey bikes: police to crackdown on hoon scoundrels riding dangerously
A wave of tearaway monkey and trail bike hoons are expected to terrorise the Mornington Peninsula during the warmer months, but the region’s top traffic cop warns police are ready to crack down on them — and you can help. Here’s how.
South East
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Police are gearing up for a scourge of reckless monkey and trail bike riders terrorising the Mornington Peninsula during the warmer months.
Somerville Highway Patrol boss Senior Sergeant Allan Courtney could not put a figure on how many bike-riding complaints his office received but said the “constant” flow was enough for his team to double-down on their focus in spring and summer.
“Police receive constant complaints from the public about unregistered monkey bikes (and trail bikes) due to them being ridden dangerously and causing a public nuisance,” Sen-Sergeant Courtney said.
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“Monkey bike and trail bike riders are always a focus for us but the problem peaks in spring and summer so we will have a greater focus.
“We will respond as best we can.”
The crackdown comes as a monkey bike rider was busted in Hastings on September 3.
Somerville Highway Patrol officers pulled over the helmetless rider, 32, on Graydens Rd just after 8.30pm.
The unlicensed rider, who was on an unregistered bike, tested positive to meth.
He will face court at a later date on several charges including drug-driving, unlicensed riding, using an unregistered motor vehicle and failing to hear a helmet.
His monkey bike was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1075.
Sen-Sergeant Courtney said the illegal and “dangerous” tearaway riders were frequently spotted in Carrum Downs, Hastings and Mornington.
“Most of the phone calls we receive about them are in those areas,” Sen-Sergeant Courtney said.
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“Certain parts near the green wedge are a continuing issue but how they get to and from there is a real problem.”
Sen-Sergeant Courtney said anyone with “good information” about the addresses or identities of illegal monkey bike riders should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information on monkey bikes is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.