Darren Ohlson and Whakatāne district councillor Nandor Tanczos discuss opening up land for a motocross track in Awatapu. Photo: Troy Baker
As complaints rev up about youths on dirt bikes ripping up parks and terrifying pedestrians in Awatapu, a strategy is being hatched to turn the problem into a solution.
Otamakaokao Kaitiaki Trust chairman Quinton Kerr wants to create a motocross track on the river side of the stopbank in Awatapu, on land controlled by Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
"We agree that [parks and paths] are not the safest place to be burning around on a motorbike.
"What we're also saying is, if they can't ride on these parks and reserves, then let's give them somewhere they can ride," he said.
"A kid on a motorbike is a kid not doing ram raids, it's a kid not doing crime. We have people in our community with expertise in motocross who could come in and teach our kids safe motorbike handling.
"There's actually a huge career path in motocross. Why don't we look at this situation as a positive, and create opportunities for our youth?"
Kerr has the backing of Whakatāne district councillor Nandor Tanczos, who is also a member of the Otamakaokao Kaitiaki Trust.
"I think Quin's idea is really great," he said.
"There are a lot of people in the community who are becoming really concerned about kids hooning around on motorbikes, largely because it's a safety issue.
"It's also annoying because it's noisy for people and it's churning up mud and creating a hell of a mess, but also you get pakeke (seniors) walking around, you get parents with prams, so there is the potential for quite a bit of risk.
"On the other side, they're doing something that requires quite a high level of skill and they're having fun together, so there's a few positives as well.
"Some of these kids might have the potential to be professional riders.
"The idea is to take the positives, but move it somewhere it isn't a danger or a nuisance to anyone."
The place needed to be somewhere accessible, Tanczos said.
"Obviously the kids don't have the ability to put the bike on a trailer and go out to some motorcross park far away."
Kerr has recently reached out to regional councillors to ask whether it is possible to use land over the stopbank from Awatapu.
"There's a whole lot of land there. We're looking at the area that's the furthest out of ear drop," Kerr said.
"But obviously we've got to work with Government agencies, in terms of using the land and whether it is a viable option."
Regional councillor Malcolm Campbell said he had recently been approached about the proposal and had not yet had time to consult with his fellow councillors about the idea.
However, regional council staff had been asked to explore the possibility.
The former Kawerau mayor has been involved with motocross for many years and is a patron of Tarawera Trailriders Club.
He said Kawerau had similar problems with people riding motorbikes around town and he had been involved with getting some of those youth out onto a motocross track.
Born and raised in Awatapu, Darren Ohlson is the father of several Awatapu youths aged 18 and younger.
He and other parents in the community think a motocross track at Awatapu could have huge potential for youth in the area.
He sees riding motorbikes as a constructive activity which could be used to incentivise young people.
"When I was a kid, it was just, 'get outside'. These guys just want to ride their bikes, but they keep getting hassled by the police and the community," Ohlson said.
"I've told them they're not to ride up and down the paths because they will cause problems.
"I would rather them be out riding than getting into crime."
He said the motorbikes took a lot of effort and money to maintain, and that had proved to be a good incentive to encourage the youngsters to put in some good work in the community.
For example, they had been lending a hand with the Otamakaokao Community Garden.
Whakatāne District Council community experience general manager Georgina Fletcher said the council and Whakatāne Police were aware of the concerning increase in instances of unauthorised riding of motorbikes on council reserves, particularly in the Awatapu area and were aware residents had concerns.
"The council is working closely with Whakatāne Police and members of Otamakaokao Kaitiaki Trust on the matter and is hoping to meet with members of the community who are involved in these activities to talk openly and honestly to try to resolve the issue."
Fletcher said while the council could install physical barriers to prevent motorbikes being able to use the paths and reserves, they were prone to vandalism and would also prevent access to innocent users such as those using bicycles, prams, and mobility scooters.
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
