Off-road bike project marks year of success

The community-led Mud in Your Blood project, where veteran bikers work with teenagers from around the area to promote the sport, has been a major success in its first year, helping put a stop to illegal off-roaders tearing through the countryside.

North Yorkshire Police has donated confiscated bikes to the project and plans for new legal off-road sites are currently being developed.

Organisers now say they hope to roll the project out further across the area.

Paul Beedham, vice chairman of the group, said: "It's been a year of hard work to get the project this far and we are really pleased we are making progress in delivering a community project that so many people want.

"We formed it due to a lack of legal spaces to ride off-road in the town and in response to the needs of young people who said they wanted more opportunity to take part in activities that were of interest and were affordable to them.

"We want to encourage more people across the wider community to sign up and get involved – the project is not just for those interested in riding but for everyone who wants to make it a success for Scarborough."

North Yorkshire Police say they have also been working with the project to get youngsters to ride in a safe and responsible way to reduce the nuisance and dangers caused by people who ride illegally on highways, footpaths and open public spaces.

During the warmer months, the problem is particularly widespread, and earlier this year police officers on off-road bikes were dispatched to patrol trouble hot spots across Scarborough.

An open event to mark the first anniversary takes place this Thursday from 5-8pm at Bacchus on Ramshill Road. Entry is free.