Youngsters can swap their off-road motorbikes, quads and trikes for a new mountain bike as part of a police scheme.
Gwent Police first ran ‘Back on Track’ last year in a bid to curb the use of off-road bikes in Caerphilly County Borough.
Funding has been secured from The council’s Children and Young Peoples Partnership and Halfords is supplying the mountain bikes and accessories at a reduced price.
IEveryone who surrenders their mechanically propelled vehicle, such as an off-road motorbike, will be given a voucher, entitling them to a mountain bike, helmet, cable and lock, bicycle lights, puncture repair kit, riding mitts, high-visibility arm and leg bands, as well as a three year bike care plan.
Residents from Aber Valley, Morgan Jones, Penyrheol and St Martins will be able to take part in the amnesty over a four week period in June.
People can take their vehicles to the follow:
- Cwm Ifor Primary School – Monday June 13 – 12pm to 4.30pm
- St Cenydd Comprehensive School – Tuesday June 14 – 12pm to 4.30pm
- Heol-Aneurin Fish Bar, Penyrheol – Wednesday June 15 – 12pm to 4.30pm
- Troed-y-Bryn (Outside Post Office) – Thursday June 16- 12pm to 4.30pm
- Aber Square, Abertridwr, Friday June 17 – 3pm to 8pm
or
Visit Caerphilly Police Station:
- Monday June 6 – 12pm till 5pm
- Tuesday June 7– 12pm till 5pm
- Wednesday June 8 – 12pm till 5pm
- Thursday June 9 – 12pm till 5pm
- Friday June 10 – 12pm till 8pm
Sergeant Andy Elias from the Caerphilly Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The illegal use of off-road bikes on local green spaces and along pavements and paths is a real concern to residents in the Caerphilly area. Not only are off road bikes dangerous, posing a risk to the riders and local community, they impact the quality of life for residents. Along with our operations – Back on Track is another way of helping to get these bikes off the road.”
Cllr Phil Bevan, Cabinet Member for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning said: “This excellent initiative was a great success when it last ran back in 2010, and I am hopeful that it will be as positively received once again. This amnesty is a good way of helping to get off-road bikes off the road, which are deemed a nuisance by many, while promoting the health benefits that cycling has”.
Terms and conditions will apply – for example, residents must be able to provide proof of address for Aber Valley, Morgan Jones, Penyrheol or St Martins wards in Caerphilly and the vehicle must be in working order. Anyone wanting to take part in the amnesty must be over the age of 18, or be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please pop into Caerphilly Police station for a full list of the terms and conditions.