Harlow council banning ride-outs

This is the thin edge of the wedge and should be challenged by any right thinking person, biker or not. This decision has obviously been taken by people who know nothing about modern bikers. They seem to still hold the old misheld perception that we are all a bunch of marauding thugs, intent in wrecking the towns and villages we visit.
They state

"‘Nuisance particularly from the illegal riding of motorbikes is blighting people's quality of life in Harlow and the Council will not stand by and do nothing. It is becoming an increasing problem, not just in Harlow but other areas in the country, and now we are approaching the warmer months we want to put deterrents into action. The injunction is one of a number of measures the Council working with the Police has in place to target the issue of nuisance bikes.
"

This is just complete nonsense and if a court made a decision based on this sort of evidence then it is our justice system that is in danger not the people of Harlow. Most reactions like this I find, stem from little a**sholes riding pit bikes, scramblers etc. round local playing fields or estates to which people rightfully complain to the local council / police. They then react in a way which creates the most publicity to show how they are stamping down on these nuisance bikers and therefore criminalise law abiding citizens while doing nothing to tackle the real problem of anti social behaviour by a few no doubt repeat offenders. There are already laws in place to tackle the issues raised by them be it illegal riding, excessive noise, speeding, sounding horns, causing any nuisance to persons not participating in the ride out and performing stunts.

Why not use those laws to prosecute those responsible instead of throwing the baby out with the bath water. How many people who may have participated in this ride out would have been guilty of any of the above ? Any rideouts I have taken part in most definitely ensure you do not speed as most of them sit around 30 to 40mph at most.

They also state that

"the event posed a ‘serious danger to both the general public and those taking part and will impact on the local community."

People should ask to see their impact assessment reports or risk assessment to ascertain how they came to such a conclusion. I mean what danger did this event pose and the only impact to the local community would be a positive financial benefit to the traders around that area. The fact that the police, who claim to be overstretched and under funded, have the time to join in such a witch hunt also needs some explanation. If the same decision had been taken about a gathering of some other social group, I don't mean to be political or offend anyone, for example a Gay Rights or some other minority grouping, there would have been a public outcry about discrimination but because its about just a bunch of bikers, it is acceptable.

I feel things like this need to challenged, we supposedly live in a democracy where the freedom of assembly and expression are safeguarded and if laws are being broken then prosecute those responsible. This decision could mean if 4 or 5 of us met up and rid together in to Harlow we are at risk of being imprisoned I can't understand how anyone could say that is reasonable.


Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights protects the right to freedom of assembly and association, including the right to form trade unions, subject to certain restrictions that are "in accordance with law" and "necessary in a democratic society".



“ Article 11 – Freedom of assembly and association

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.



2. No restrictions shall be placed on the exercise of these rights other than such as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on the exercise of these rights by members of the armed forces, of the police or of the administration of the State.

Now will someone get me of this f**king soap box