Off Road Motorcycling – Red Rose Forest Revs It Up!

In April 2004, Red Rose Forest launched it’s latest project, which aims to eradicate the problem of illegal off-road motorcycling on Greater Manchester’s many green spaces – a problem that terrorises local communities, rips up valuable park and woodland and gives legal motorcyclists a unfairly poor reputation.

The problem of illegal off-road motorcycling is one that plagues many beautiful parts of Greater Manchester, often making parks, playing fields, woodlands and other green spaces ‘no-go’ areas for other users.

The Greater Manchester Off-Road Motorcycling project, led by Red Rose Forest is bringing together bikers, landowners, local people, local councils and the Greater Manchester Police to find workable and long-term solutions to this problem. These may include the development of new facilities for motorcyclists to practice their sport safely, as well as more traditional law enforcement and site security measures.

The first phase of the project will produce a detailed study to consider issues such as cost implications, rights of way, and community engagement (especially focusing around getting young people involved). The feasibility of developing several sites for new off-road motorcycling facilities will also be explored.

Ellen Hawkins, project co-ordinator from Red Rose Forest said:
The Greater Manchester project offers a real opportunity to all partners to develop an exciting solution to such a high profile issue. The key to our approach is that we are pursuing a positive course of action, working to identify solutions which meet everyone's needs whilst protecting our valuable green spaces. The strong partnership leading this project forwards will be vital to its future success.

The Greater Manchester Off-Road Motorcycling project was officially launched with a half-day conference on 30th April 2004 at the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester. This event was attended by landowners, local communities, motorcyclists, Greater Manchester Police, the Local Authorities from Greater Manchester and other interested parties who came together to explore the issue.

For more information about the Greater Manchester Off-Road Motorcycle project please contact Ellen Hawkins, Community Liaison Manager.

The Greater Manchester Off-Road Motorcycle project is a partnership project of Red Rose Forest, Pennine Edge Forest, Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, Bolton MBC, Trafford MBC, Wigan MBC, Rochdale MBC, Oldham MBC, Greater Manchester Police, Government Office North West, Oldham Kickstart and VCAT (Voluntary Community Action Trafford).
Additional funding has been provided by Bury MBC, The Countryside Agency and The Forestry Commission.