Noisy and badly-driven mini motos, such as motorised scooters, go-peds and quad bikes, are causing a major nuisance across Edinburgh and a new campaign to tackle the problem is being launched by the Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership.

The past year has seen increased sales of mini motos and a corresponding rise in complaints from many communities in Edinburgh which are suffering from antisocial behaviour by bikers, such as noisy bikes being driven on pavements, cycle paths or across public parks.

The information campaign aims to raise awareness of the issues amongst retailers, bikers, young people and the public.  Over the summer months Council Trading Standards Officers and the Police will visit mini moto retailers to ask them to sign up to a new Code of Practice.

The Code of Practice encourages retailers to take act responsibly and to advise customers about the rules that must be followed when using mini motos, e.g:-

- mini motos cannot be used on the road, unless properly insured and taxed; 
- bikers must be over 16 years old, have completed Compulsory Basic Training and have a moped or motorcycle licence;
- bikes must have lights, number plate, horn, speedometer and proper tyres; bikes can not be driven on private land without the permission of the landowner;
- no type of vehicle may be ridden on public land eg parks, pavements.

The Partnership will also raise awareness with:

- young people, through work in schools where children will be told what can happen if they do not obey the law, eg written Police warnings, and confiscation of bikes, which could lead to a recovery fee of £105 plus storage charges;

- the public, who will be told how to complain about anyone breaking the law or behaving in an antisocial manner.

- Leaflets will be distributed across the city, through libraries, schools, local council offices and police stations, and the information can also be downloaded from www.saferedinburgh.org.uk.   

Councillor Sheila Gilmore, who chairs the Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership, said: "Mini motos are not toys, and bikers need to realise that they can be very annoying and even dangerous if driven badly.  We hope that everyone involved will co-operate to ensure that riders of these bikes comply with all the legislation and advice."