PROPOSED laws to impound and crush monkey bikes that are ridden illegally could spell the end of the sport, legitimate riders say.
SA Mini Bike Riders Association president Peter Kalleske said he would support the laws if a legal riding track was built in the south.
“There’s no point having these laws if there’s no legal alternative,” he said.
“What we really need is a track where people can ride safely.”
Under the legislation announced last week by Attorney General Michael Atkinson, monkey bike riders caught on public roads, footpaths and parks could also face fines of up to $5000.
Monkey bikes, about half the size of a standard motorcycle, can reach speeds of up to 70km/h.
Three southern mini-bike shops – SA Fun Bikes, owned by Mr Kalleske, Pro 50s and Total Imports – have closed this year because of dwindling interest in the sport.
“We were going backwards because there was nowhere to ride the bikes, so people weren’t buying them,” Mr Kalleske said.
He said the association’s membership had also dropped from about 45 to “30-something”.
In 2007, the association submitted a 200-signature petition to Onkaparinga Council calling for land at the former dump site on Meyer Rd, Lonsdale, to be set aside for a track.
But this proposal and three other locations at Kangarilla, Morphett Vale and Coromandel Valley were all ruled out due to noise issues and conflicts with other land users. A suitable site has yet to be found by the council.
Mini-bike rider Luke Robertson, of Reynella, said the tougher laws would be the “end of the sport”. “Most of my friends have sold their bikes,” he said.
“We can’t race any more (at Two Wells) because membership is dropping and the association doesn’t have enough money to advertise and buy medals.”
South Coast Police traffic manager Kim Fischer declined to comment.
The legislation is likely to be considered by State Parliament if Labor is re-elected in March.
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