TRF Forums

It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:09 pm

All times are UTC [ DST ]




Forum locked This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 1 post ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Trail Riding & Anti-Social Motorbikes BBC Crimewatch
PostPosted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 11:10 am 
Offline
650 cc Monster

Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:11 am
Posts: 2440
Location: St Albans
Trail Riding & Anti Social Motorbikes on BBC Crimewatch Roadshow Weds 21st June 09:25 AM

In recent years the TRF has grown considerably in size to around 5000 members. Having achieved our objective of getting the majority of responsively trail riders inside the tent – we are now reaching out to a wider community, particularly those who have yet to join us, with messages of choice.

One of these initiatives, led by Greg Villalobos – is changing the behaviour of trail riders, not necessarily TRF members, and demonstrating that all trail riders – not just TRF members, can choose to ride in a responsible and sustainable way, and share the trail with other users.

This has caught the interest of several Police forces who have approached the TRF for help with education, as well as enforcement, against the real problem of Anti-Social and illegal riding.

Relations with the Police are important to us as well as of interest to landowners and the general public, who may now recognise how responsible we are as an organisation.

At a high level - TRF Director Stewart Bosworth, a current serving Senior Police Officer, has been working with the several Police Forces on recognised and accredited training programmes led by the TRF and educational programmes to assist the Police in combatting Anti-Social and illegal riding.

Graham Hutton - Chair of Hereford TRF and myself are working with Gwent Police on a programme that allows responsible TRF members permissive access to restricted forest land as part of educational initiatives with the Police.

Greg Villalobos - Chair of Northumbria TRF is working with the Police on basic access knowledge, creating an understanding of what we do as a lawful activity.

Andrew Dalton – TRF General Counsel and Senior Herts TRF Road Conservation Officer proposed a programme of working between Beds police and Herts TRF to actively combat anti-social riding around Luton. This met with support from local MP Andrew Selous as well as local Councillors and residents.

Mick Extance Experience – Commercial TRF Supporter. Eight years ago at the invitation of a forest landowner where illegal riding was a problem Mick, one of Britain’s most successful Dakar riders, set up his rider training school. He now employs 3 people in the business and the forest is used exclusively by legitimate riders, generating an income of £30k to the forest and a similar amount to the local pub in visitor revenues. Mick and his team police the area as part of their business and as part of his educational training encourages riders to join the TRF and ride responsibly on green roads.
Some members may recall a request recently made, for volunteers to assist with a BBC programme covering Anti-Social riding. I can understand that TRF members have had reservations about supporting these requests and responding. Illegal riding is a subject that we, the TRF, cannot continue to ignore. It won’t go away and it may come back to bite us. In the past, the TRF has maintained the position that we are not part of the problem and we are best staying away.

In my view, this is not enough. As we progress the TRF must show we are part of the solution to these problems and tackle these issues proactively and creatively.

The TRF's approach to this latest, difficult request from the BBC has been led by Paul O’Sullivan who has been working in the Peak District on the fringes of, and outside the TRF. Paul has led the interview with the BBC and arranged rides with those who are not TRF members.

This is not without risk- we don’t know how this will be portrayed. We do know now, that the BBC programme is due to be aired on Crimewatch Roadshow Weds 21st June, 9.25 AM on BBC1. (Click here for live streaming)

It is of strategic importance to Trail Riders that our efforts to combat illegal an anti-social riding are recognised and recorded. This is a valuable contribution in support of TRF Technical Director John Vannuffel’s work in Motoring Stakeholder Working Group (MSWG) which was our outcome against the threats from the Deregulation Bill (click here for more info).

If you have more examples of Trail Riders pro-activity in this area or need further help or assistance with contact with the Police – feel free to contact TRF Marketing (marketing@trf.org.uk) for help and assistance where we now have a team of experts available to help.

Safe riding,

Mario Costa-Sa
TRF Board of Directors
07721480000

_________________
Mario Costa-Sa
7 Core TRF member benefits
Contact-Thousands of TRF members
Access-2X green roads
Improve-Riding skill
Identify- Responsible
Defence-against prosecution
Sustainability-Protect green roads & rights
Insurance


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Forum locked This topic is locked, you cannot edit posts or make further replies.  [ 1 post ] 

All times are UTC [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group. Color scheme by ColorizeIt!