Police search for monkey bike dad
Frankston police have snapped back at social media critics questioning their hunt for a reckless monkey bike owner taking a young boy for an illegal spin through a reserve.
South East
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Frankston police trying to identify what they believe is a dad taking his son on an illegal ride through a popular reserve on a monkey bike, have faced criticism on social media.
A posse of mini bike fans took to the police’s Frankson Eyewatch facebook page sympathising with the risky rider and calling for a dedicated monkey bike track.
The police had posted a photo after the tattooed man was caught on camera on January 4 riding the tiny bike along the Warrawee Circuit in the Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve with the little boy positioned in front of him.
“The identity of the male rider is required. He has substantial tattooing to his lower right leg and doesn’t understand that the reserve is not an appropriate place to teach somebody how to ride,” police said on the Frankson Eyewatch facebook page.
One man suggested the police should have better things to do but the force fired back: “There is not many better things than preventing road trauma and death.”
“There are many reasons it is unsafe in there. Traps and baits for vermin, freshly dug holes from animals that live there and branches from gum trees that fall regularly, not to mention pedestrians walking,” the police post said.
About 350 people commented on the post showing little sympathy for the police and saying the lack of places to ride the bikes was the problem.
Malinda Lloyd said she would love the Frankston City Motorcycle Park, which closed after the death of 16-year-old Sebastian D’Imperio in 2018, to be reopened and for it to work in conjunction with police.
Nick Fisher said he thought the track wouldn’t be reopened any time soon and suggested a program where youngsters can ride with their parents would be ideal to promote safety going forward.
“This will actually help reduce the road toll by educating riders from a young age,” he posted.
“How about help the community with discussions with Frankston council in trying to open the track at very least?”
However, Frankston Mayor Sandra Mayer said the council had no plans to establish a riding place for monkey bikes.
Local police said while there isn’t a track available in the city of Frankston at the moment, people should take their bikes to appropriate tracks elsewhere.
Ms Mayer said the council officers assisted Victoria Police by passing on intelligence for their investigations into the misuse of monkey bikes locally.
In July 2019 council installed CCTV cameras in the Seaford Wetlands in an attempt to curtail the dangerous past time.
Last year, Leader reported how reckless motorbike hoons were taunting walkers along the busy Patterson Lakes river trail.
In 2015, Andrea Lehane, 34, was mowed down by Caleb Jakobsson, 22, who hit her with his homemade motorcycle outside Carrum Downs Shopping Centre.
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Since the introduction of Victorian Government legislation in 2016, Victoria Police has managed the seizing, impounding and destroying of monkey bikes.
Police are appealing for anyone who recognises the man to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppers.com.au
james.mottershead@news.com.au
@mottersjames