Gareth Mackie, 46, lives next to Sighthill Park and has said that the issue of off road vehicles driving dangerous has \u201cbecome progressively worse over the past couple of years, and had definitely escalated in recent weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cNot only do they zoom around the park without regard to anyone else using the facilities, but they tear up and down Broomhouse Road, pulling wheelies and weaving in and out of traffic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
“The most terrifying thing I saw was last year, when one of the riders had a young child who couldn’t have been more than three or four sat in front of him as he rode around the park.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
sign up<\/span> to our daily newsletter<\/h2>\nThe i newsletter<\/span> cut through the noise<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n“I also use the Union Canal for running and cycling, and have occasionally seen people riding motorbikes on the footpath.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nLocal councilor Ashley Graczyk has contacted Police Scotland to ask for extra officers to help deal with the problem. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nGareth continued: \u201cThe noise is the worst thing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n![\"\"](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyBoZWlnaHQ9IjE0NjEiIHdpZHRoPSIyMDAwIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIvPg==\"\/)
<\/i-amphtml-sizer><\/amp-img><\/amp-img><\/figure>Edinburgh crime news: Local speaks about ‘intrusive’ motorbike groups in the Sighthill area of \u200b\u200bthe Capital<\/figcaption><\/div>\n\n“I work from home and the noise of the bikes is so intrusive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n“I haven’t had any direct run-ins with the bikers, although one of the idiots rode down my street pulling a wheelie.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\nread more <\/h2>\n
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Nicola Sturgeon blasts ‘mindless, thuggish behaviour’ of Rangers fans over Old F…<\/p><\/div>\n
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\n“There are lots of young children in this development and I just don’t want to think about the consequences of someone being hit by a motorbike.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nCllr Ashley Graczyk commented: “I’m working with the Council and other organizations to explore possible land and other options to enable legal off-road motorbiking in Edinburgh or on the outskirts of Edinburgh as a long-term solution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n“As I do recognize that not all young people with off-road motorbikes do illegal off-road motorbiking or intimidating behaviors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\u201cThere are organizations such as Ride Off Road Scotland <\/a>offer training, coaching, tours, experiences for all ages & abilities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n“They do rough ground, brownfield gap sites, basically somewhere out of the people’s way and potential harm to themselves and others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n“It would be beneficial especially as positive role models\/mentors for young people rather than being influenced by riders breaking the law.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nChief Inspector Mark Hamilton added : \u201cWe are aware of issues in the Sighthill area involving the anti-social use of off road bikes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n“Operation Pillar was introduced to deal directly with this issue. This has been running successfully over a number of weeks in response to concerns raised by the local community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\u201cWe want to ensure our streets are safer, and that the people of Sighthill can live free from the anti-social use of motorbikes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n“We have dedicated patrols to tackle this issue including the use of our own of road motorcycles to carry out patrols as part of Operation Orbit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n“These patrols will continue as anti-social behavior continues to be a priority for the South West Policing Team.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n“There are appropriate police resources in place to respond in the area but the nature of policing means these officers at times need to support ongoing serious incidents within the city.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n“We have the ability to draw on additional resources should they be required. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\u201cIf anyone has any information regarding the use of off road motorcycles we would encourage them to contact the Police Scotland.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\nA message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
“I also use the Union Canal for running and cycling, and have occasionally seen people riding motorbikes on the footpath.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Local councilor Ashley Graczyk has contacted Police Scotland to ask for extra officers to help deal with the problem. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Gareth continued: \u201cThe noise is the worst thing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
“I work from home and the noise of the bikes is so intrusive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
“I haven’t had any direct run-ins with the bikers, although one of the idiots rode down my street pulling a wheelie.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
read more <\/h2>\n
read more<\/p>\n Nicola Sturgeon blasts ‘mindless, thuggish behaviour’ of Rangers fans over Old F…<\/p><\/div>\n <\/a><\/div>\n “There are lots of young children in this development and I just don’t want to think about the consequences of someone being hit by a motorbike.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Cllr Ashley Graczyk commented: “I’m working with the Council and other organizations to explore possible land and other options to enable legal off-road motorbiking in Edinburgh or on the outskirts of Edinburgh as a long-term solution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “As I do recognize that not all young people with off-road motorbikes do illegal off-road motorbiking or intimidating behaviors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThere are organizations such as Ride Off Road Scotland <\/a>offer training, coaching, tours, experiences for all ages & abilities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “They do rough ground, brownfield gap sites, basically somewhere out of the people’s way and potential harm to themselves and others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “It would be beneficial especially as positive role models\/mentors for young people rather than being influenced by riders breaking the law.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton added : \u201cWe are aware of issues in the Sighthill area involving the anti-social use of off road bikes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “Operation Pillar was introduced to deal directly with this issue. This has been running successfully over a number of weeks in response to concerns raised by the local community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWe want to ensure our streets are safer, and that the people of Sighthill can live free from the anti-social use of motorbikes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “We have dedicated patrols to tackle this issue including the use of our own of road motorcycles to carry out patrols as part of Operation Orbit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “These patrols will continue as anti-social behavior continues to be a priority for the South West Policing Team.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “There are appropriate police resources in place to respond in the area but the nature of policing means these officers at times need to support ongoing serious incidents within the city.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n “We have the ability to draw on additional resources should they be required. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIf anyone has any information regarding the use of off road motorcycles we would encourage them to contact the Police Scotland.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\nA message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n