Alexandra police have stopped 14 people for unlawful off-road motorcycle use in the parks and reserves around the wider Alexandra area over the past eight months, under Operation Dust.

Operation Dust is a joint police and Central Otago District Council (CODC) effort to tackle the issue of dirt-bike riders travelling through council land, river tracks or private farms without permission.

Police and CODC were alerted to the issue by concerned members of the public, the police said in a statement today (Thursday December 22).

“Council and Alexandra police had received numerous reports from the public that dirt bikes were travelling from their homes through parks and reserves, including the Otago Central Rail Trail, to ride in areas without prior permission,” CODC parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey said.

“This is unacceptable and undesirable for many reasons, including the Health and Safety of pedestrians and other lawful users.”

The riders stopped by police were riding in forbidden areas without the appropriate licence class, risking a $400 infringement or a maximum fine of $1,000.

Police and the CODC have installed signage in the areas where the unlawful motorcycle use has occurred and there are plans to install more.

“We want all holiday makers to have a safe and enjoyable stay in Central Otago over the break, but we ask that you have prior permission before riding on council land, river tracks or private farms,” a joint statement from police and the CODC said.

The statement asked people to consider the following before heading out to ride dirt-bikes:

• Just because the land is vacant, does it mean you can ride here?
• Have you asked or been given prior permission to ride on this land?
• How are you going to transport your dirt-bike to and from the appropriate riding area?
• If you are riding within an area that has public access, have you got the appropriate motorcycle licence?