Scramblers on path 'an accident waiting to happen'

Councillor Gary Haley is urging people to report sightings of motorbikes on the path to police

Scrambler bikes being ridden on a busy riverside footpath are "an accident waiting to happen", a mum who was almost hit by one warns.

Kirsty Hardy had her daughter in a baby carrier at Dunston, in Gateshead, when several off-road bikers sped towards her.

The riders, wearing balaclavas or other face coverings, take to the footpath as well as a nearby bus lane running towards Gateshead Quays.

Northumbria Police said it was "absolutely committed" to tackling the issue.

Mrs Hardy, who lives on the adjacent Staiths South Bank estate, says the "intimidating" bikers appear several times a week and are causing "a lot of distress".

"They can be three-wide so there's nowhere for anyone else to go," she said.

"There are walkers, runners and cyclists on the path, but the bikers just plough along.

"One came towards me and I put my hands out as if to say 'what are you doing?' and he swore at me.

"It's kids and pets I'm fearful for. Last week I was out with the pushchair and a man had to pick up his cockapoo so that it didn't get hit.

"The dog was distraught. It's an accident waiting to happen."

Off-road bikes are not allowed to be ridden on public footpaths

Dunston and Teams councillor Gary Haley, who is also deputy leader of Gateshead Council, said the authority had previously put up bollards to stop vehicles getting on to the riverside path.

But he cautioned: "It's difficult to prevent motorbikes without closing it off to mobility scooters and other people using wheeled transport."

He urged people to act as "eyes and ears" for police by logging incidents through their website or by calling 101.

Sgt Andrew Devlin said Northumbria Police regularly deployed officers to "hotspot areas" as well as issuing dispersal notices and making arrests where appropriate.

He added: "The actions of a minority can have a significant detrimental impact on the wider community, and we remain absolutely committed to tackling this type of disorder.

"We also use drones to support our work and will continue to use technology to enhance and develop our response."