3 September 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Trail and dirt bikes on footpaths and reserves
Enquiry
I'm doing a story today on locals getting more annoyed about people riding trail bikes and dirt bikes on footpaths and on council reserves.
There was an incident in Koutu yesterday when a kuia was verbally abused by one of these riders when the kuia told the rider to go away. The kuia was concerned for the children who play in the reserves.
Another footpath user said he and his young children were nearly bowled off their bikes by someone on a trail bike the other day on a footpath by Boord Park. He said it's only a matter of time before someone's seriously hurt or killed as a result of these idiots.
There's a lot of talk about these riders on social media and locals are getting fed up.
I note the council's Safe and Sustainable Journeys Rotorua group also commented about this on Facebook recently, urging locals to call police and reminding them footpaths are not for motorbikes.
I have comment from police already who are aware of the latest spate of offending.
- Is this a concern for the council?
- Can the council issue fines for breaches of bylaws? If so, what are the breaches and how much are the fines?
- Has the council ever fined anyone/tried to target them?
- What should locals do to help stop them?
Response
From Sport, Recreation and Environment Manager Rob Pitkethley:
- Is this a concern for the council?
- Can the council issue fines for breaches of bylaws? If so, what are the breaches and how much are the fines?
- Has the council ever fined anyone/tried to target them?
- What should locals do to help stop them?
Motorbikes and vehicles being used in public spaces such as parks and reserves is an issue that Council responds to from time to time. It’s always disappointing when people choose to do the wrong thing, especially when it puts the health and safety of others at risk. Public spaces are there to be used and enjoyed by the community and people should be able to feel safe when they are out and about in their neighbourhoods.
Council needs to be able to balance restricting motorbike/vehicle access with ensuring that reserves and shared paths are accessible for legitimate users such as walkers, people using push bikes, people using prams and people using mobility devices. It is also a challenge to restrict access from private properties that may back onto reserve areas.
To try and achieve this balance we’ve trialled a number of treatments including ‘kissing’ gates (gates that require people to weave through them) however in most cases, the treatments have been vandalised. We also use safety signage and engagement with local community groups as a way to encourage behaviour changes within local neighbourhoods.
People using unauthorised vehicles within public spaces such as reserves would be in breach of the Rotorua District Council General Bylaw 2017 Section 202 and 204. If a person was found to be in breach of the Bylaw it could carry a fine or result in seizure of the vehicle and/or prosecution in court. *Please see excerpt from the Rotorua District Council General Bylaw 2017 re penalties below.
We are not aware of Council issuing infringements for this type of offence. Any prosecution is usually dealt with by the Police.
It’s difficult for Council to target offenders due to the timing between being notified and attending where the offending occurred. By the time staff arrive at the location, the offenders are long gone. It is especially difficult as the offenders are often using fast and compact vehicles that can access/exit reserves in places where standard cars and trucks cannot get to.
A lot of the vehicles are often unregistered or have no identification (registration plates removed) making it difficult to identify an offender after the offence has occurred.
Council staff do work with Police, land owners and community organisations to manage the issue as much as possible, and we do rely on information from the public about what’s going on in local reserves.
We encourage the public and reserve neighbours (if safe to do so) to inform Police as soon as they can, with as much detail as possible. This has proved valuable in the past as it has enabled Police to identify offenders and seize vehicles.
*excerpt below
12.1 Every person who commits an offence against this Bylaw is liable to:
- The penalty set out in section 238 of the Act; or
- Where another enactment specifies the penalty for a breach of the Bylaw, that other penalty (for example Schedule 4 of the Land Transport Act 1998)
12.2 In accordance with section 162 of the Act, the Council may apply to the District Court for an injunction to restrain a person from committing a breach of this Bylaw.
*Please note the Act referred to above is the Local Government Act 2002
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Media: Rotorua Weekender
Topic: Recreation at Alert Level 3
Enquiry
I’m working on a story around recreation at Alert Level 3 – what people can/can’t so recreationally and some ideas of what families can do to stay occupied.
Would it be possible to get some comment from the mayor or a spokesperson to the below questions?
- Are there any Alert Level 3 recreational safety messages/reminders you would like to put out to the community?
- Are there any particular recreational activities that seem to be particularly popular at the moment? Are any of these causing problems?
- Does the council receive any reports/complaints if people have been breaking the level 3 recreational rules? If so do you know about how many there have been in alert level 3 so far?
- Is there anything you would like to add?
Response
From Sport, Recreation and Environment Manager Rob Pitkethley:
It’s important to prioritise some type of recreation during these lockdown periods. It helps to reduce stress and anxiety that can be a challenge for some families.
Rules to keep yourself, your whānau, and the community safe are very similar to Alert Level 4. Stick close to home and stay within your bubble, keep your activities safe and well within your abilities, and practice good hygiene such as washing or sanitising hands and wear a mask if you’re out and about.
We understand from our contact with Rotorua police that, for the most part, locals have been really good at sticking to Alert Level rules and it’s great to see our community doing their part to keep Aotearoa safe. During Alert Level 4, the Whakarewarewa Forest was a bit of a challenge with keen bikers wanting to continue accessing trails. However, after a few reminders and taking an education approach, most people understood the need to keep it safe and local. This also applies to Alert Level 3 with updated information advising riders to stay off trails grade 3 and above.
While the forest is a popular spot, it’s important that people continue to exercise locally in Alert Level 3. People should only be travelling to the closest park or reserve for exercise, not to their favourite one. Many people are already doing this and we’re seeing lots of families out enjoying casual bike rides or walks around local parks.
During Alert Level 3 playgrounds and public facilities (such as toilets) remain closed. It’s important to stay off playground equipment and leave safety tape in place. There are lots of other great activities that people can do at their local park, within their bubble and with equipment from their own home. Some suggestions have been kicking a ball around, backyard bat down cricket, skipping, frizbee, yoga and games like eye spy.
Golden rules for recreating safely at Alert Level 3
• Stay local
• Do not meet up with others – stay in your bubble.
• Stick to areas where you are able to easily stay 2m from anyone you may come across,
• Be mindful of other users in public spaces,
• Ride and exercise safely and within your ability.
- Public toilets remain closed so use facilities before you leave home, and manage time out so you don’t get caught out.
• Tell someone where you are going and take your mobile phone. Do not put yourself in a situation where you could be injured and require emergency help.