A joint project by Forestry Commission Wales, Gwent Police and Caerphilly County Borough Council has been launched to stop teenagers tearing-up the countryside with off-road motorbikes.
Called Treads, it promotes responsible and safe riding among teenage motorbikers, aged between 14 and 19, previously in trouble with the police.
The course teaches the youngsters how their riding through woodland and countryside can damage the environment and farmers’ livelihoods by endangering livestock.
All the Treads participants have a keen interest in off-road motorcycling and, as part of the course, learn about mechanics at Thunder Road, a motorbike centre in Cwmbran.
If they complete it successfully they get the opportunity to visit the Yamaha Off-road Experience in Llanidloes to try out proper off-roading under the instruction of ten-time British enduro champion Geraint Jones.
The teens are also taught new skills such as drystone walling and first aid, and during a recent session with Forestry Commission Wales they watched a tree felling and climbing demonstration before learning the finer points of how to operate a chainsaw.
The group then walked from Coed Twmbarlwm up to Twmbarlwm, where they had lunch and learned about the area’s rich history and origins from Rob Southall of the Twmbarlwm Society.
They finished the session at Cwmcarn forest drive, where they cut back some silver birch near Windy Ridge to help the Forestry Commission maintain the heathland habitat.
James Mak, from the Forestry Commission, said: “I hope the Treads participants had an enjoyable time whilst also learning more about the Forestry Commission. and the day-to-day problems we encounter with illegal off-roading on our land.”
Each Treads course lasts 12 weeks with participants attending one session a week, either during the evenings or at weekends. It is hoped the project will run at least three times a year.
these bikers should have there bikes siezed an crushed but as ther is no one to stop them, we should be allowed to take a photo of them and pass it on to the police so they can take action.
of course, how would you like it if someone destroyed your favaurite hobby…ever took a though on the 75% of green laners or enduro riders that enjoy the countryside and respect it whilst riding theyre bikes….