Quad Bikes, again!

[jazzactivist]

Hi all, we have just received the latest bulletin from our Community Council where it says that they have given 4 children in the village permission to use quad bikes on tracks around the village. It asks householders to make sure that we have not closed of any paths so that they can get through. Quad bike and scrambler bike use has been an issue here over some summers due to the noise and environmental factors, and we managed to get the big landowner here to stop it on their land. This permission seems to be just inviting problems again. We have a right of way path that cuts our land in two, and have gone to the trouble of fencing the land either side of it so that it is clear where the path is and we also maintain that section of public path. However, it would be slightly too narrow for a quad bike, so I hope that we aren't being expected to move the fence to allow this type of noisy activity. What do others think of this, and any ideas for stopping it without annoying fellow villagers too much?

[lily]

I'm suprised about the consent- it seems such an environmentally unfriendly pursuit. I imagine if 4 have consent it could escalate? Could there be an agreement to restrict the activity to certain times so at least people could know when it was going to happen and more importantly when not? I've got a bit fed up with fireworks of late- this weekend as well as last-makes leaving the dogs a problem whereas if we knew we could plan ahead.

[Oola]

I wouldn't expect that you'd have to move your fence jazzactivist. I would leave it, and if there's any damage because of the quad bikes then it's cause for them to be restricted or not allowed on that particular path.

They're noisy horrible things, and I think they're a menace most of the time. You should get a feel for what villagers think, maybe send a letter to the editor of your local paper and see what replies you get. Then if you feel there is enough support perhaps you could petition that they are restricted.

Also maybe get in touch with the environmental officer and get the noise levels measured?