Huncoat United hit out at e-bikes after pitch damage

Huncoat United Junior FC has said that whilst riding the electric dirt bikes across the pitches may seem like “harmless fun”, they are causing significant damage to a community asset.

The pitches are maintained entirely by volunteers to ensure that local children can train, play football and enjoy their club.

A spokesperson said: “Riding e-scooters and bikes across the pitches might seem like harmless fun, but the tyres tear up the grass, leave deep tracks and cause damage that takes our volunteers hours to repair.

“These pitches are maintained week in, week out by people who give up their own time for free so that hundreds of local children can train, play football and enjoy their club.

“When you ride across them, you’re not damaging some random patch of grass.

“You’re damaging the pitches our kids play on. You’re undoing hours of volunteer work. And you’re costing a community club money it can’t afford to waste.

“We’re not asking for much. No e-scooters on the pitches. No bikes on the pitches.

“Please respect our club, our volunteers and our players. If you’re one of the riders — please stop.

“If you’re a parent and you know your child rides around the area, please have a word with them.

“A little respect goes a long way.”

Last year, 415 of the problem vehicles were seized by Lancashire Constabulary, ranking them fourth in England and an increase on the 272 seized the year before.

The force said these nuisance vehicles are one of the top concerns of residents in the county, and it has a fleet of off-road bikes used to crack down on anti-social vehicle use.

While commonly referred to as e-bikes, the vehicles do not require pedal power and instead run off electric motors and are not road legal.

All vehicles seized by police will not be returned, but rather crushed so they can no longer cause an issue to those living in the area.