Anger as hundreds of bikers ride to Yorkshire beauty spot

The Yorkshire Dales are a popular hotspot for riders during the warm summer months – but the bikers were undeterred by police warnings against people “just going for a ride”.

A resident has criticised the bikers who have gone against coronavirus rules to enjoy a sunny day in the Dales, despite the shops and restaurants being closed.

Tom Williams, 65, lives in the area and acknowledged the popularity of the area each summer as the nearby waterfall has always attracted bikers.

But he voiced his concern after dozens of bikers were seen arriving in the town every few minutes without adhering to social distancing rules.

Mr Williams, from Aysgarth, North Yorkshire, said: "We have lived near the waterfalls in Aysgarth for a number of years so we’re used to people coming here each summer.

"But it’s senseless to see so many coming now with everything that’s happening – none of them were following Covid rules.

"No social distancing at all, no safety precautions.

"It’s normal for it to get busy around here in the summer, but it’s ridiculous – none of the shops are even open."

Inspector Mark Gee, from Richmondshire neighbourhood policing team, warned last week that bikers who were just going for a ride out were actually breaking the law. He said: "Many motorcyclists genuinely seem to think they are legally covered to just go for a ride out.

"Under the current regulations this is simply not the case.

"We know that the majority of riders don’t want to cause any harm or upset to local communities, but they need to realise that if they break the law as it stands the police will have to take

action."

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