Operation Education targets unlawful off-road motorbike riding around the State with local police crackdown

Geraldton police will be cracking down on the influx of stolen off-road motorbikes and the unlawful use of the vehicles amid a Statewide operation tackling the issue.

The WA Police Force has highlighted the unlawful use of off-road motorbikes as a “prevalent issue” around the State and will subsequently conduct Operation Education to target that offending.

Geraldton traffic officer-in-charge Sgt George Tilbury said tracking down road offenders was and remains top priority in the Mid West.

“Unlicensed motorcycles being ridden on roads pose a significant risk to the rider and other lawful road users,” he said.

“Unbelievably, some riders have been seen without helmets, which is idiotic and extremely dangerous.

“A number of unlicensed motorcycles have been putting pedestrians at risk by riding on footpaths and terrorising local communities, who have had enough.”

Sgt Tilbury said as part of the operation, Mid West and Gascoyne police would target unlicensed motorbikes ridden on roads, verges and footpaths.

Geraldton Police acting officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Stuart Gerreyn said due to the risk of danger to officers, other road users and the broader community, police were often unable to give chase to off-road motorbike riders.

“Some people are riding illegally and some of them are riding stolen motorbikes,” he said.

“Probably because of the size of the town it appears more prevalent, but it’s clearly a Statewide issue.”

WA Police said traffic officers were gathering intelligence to conduct search warrants, seizing motorcycles and laying charges on offenders around the State.

Police continue to search for a suspect who was seen around the Karloo and Rangeway area. The rider was caught riding a red bike on a footpath. It is alleged the person rode across in front of officers late August.

Another search for a motorbike stolen from Glenfield on Friday, August 8 is under way.

Police ask anyone with information on unlawful motorbike riding or the above bike descriptions to contact police.