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Took the family & dogs over Birches Valley Cannock today for a walk - it was packed full of families, kids on new bikes and dogs etc..
Two idiots riding Sur-ons came through Birches this afternoon around 2pm.
They came belting down the path next to the play ground and nearly took out me & dog as they veered onto the grass to avoid loads of people.
Then back on the path & on back wheels all the way along the car park......
There's going to be an accident soon - How can these be policed?
Never anyone from the FC around and the Police don't seem all that bothered either.
A what?.
Edit - just googled it, I can imagine the issues those will cause in areas like Cannock, nightmare.
Our local police have been on a bit of a purge against quad bikers, mainly in the galloways, which on the face of it is great, but in reality they don't really cause much bother locally, they're not hammering about eroding paths or anything, quite the opposite, they're more like greenlaners just getting out into the hills.
Nowhere near the issues vanlifers, dirty campers etc are causing on the area.
Accept this is a different thing entirely, just thinking out loud really!
How do you feel about the clothes line? 
Its "Sur-Ron".
Stop the brands/influencers advertising them?
Good luck with that.
I guess if you keep logging it with the Police on 101 they’ll be able to see that it’s becoming a bigger problem and might do something about it.
We’ve had similar problems with MX bikes (and a few Sur-Rons) where I live on the edge of Bristol and they’re recommending that we report them when we see them so they can then allocate more manpower and resources to trying to stop it.
Illefgal off road bikes were ( still are?) an issue locally - the cops put two cops on bikes to chase and catch them - there are also some areas where they are tolerated so they tend not to cause any trouble now as they go to the areas that they are tolerated on.
the solution is IMO legislation to stop the sale of these and other vehicles that cannot get road worthy
I stopped one riding up Robin Hoods Well for Rossendale locals who know it. Busy nice weather Sunday afternoon and a scroaty **** razzing up a Singletrackworld narrow bridleway on one full chat. Claimed it was an evoke and was legal to be there - had nukeproof 'pedals' instead of the motorbike style footpegs which was his arguement it was a pedal bike.
Nothing else I could do - he was wearing a full face and too many witnesses knocking about to make his death look like an 'accident'
Seen a dude on one at Woburn.
Yeah, it's going to be an increasing issue unfortunately. 😐
the solution is IMO legislation to stop the sale of these and other vehicles that cannot get road worthy
The Sur-Ron can be, you can buy one all registered and with a numberplate if you wanted.
Legally no different to someone riding a petrol motorbike somewhere they’re not allowed, and just as unlikely to get caught.
As said, report if you’re bothered by how they’re riding, if there’s enough reports at a regular day/time then the police might take some interest.
I expect the 'problem' is paperwork, if they changed the law so the rozzers could just take the offending item and scrap it without 2 days worth of paperwork and hoops to jump through the issue would go away. Same with fly tippers, scrap their vehicle and they can't do it again, doesn't need fines and courts!!
Yeah, that sounds like a sensible, well thought through solution to the problem - let police dole out punishments on the spot with no legal process or documentation. Can't see how that could go wrong 🙄
I expect the ‘problem’ is paperwork, if they changed the law so the rozzers could just take the offending item and scrap it without 2 days worth of paperwork and hoops to jump through the issue would go away. Same with fly tippers, scrap their vehicle and they can’t do it again, doesn’t need fines and courts!!
Fortunately due process is still a requirement for lawful destruction of property. The 'problem' is funding and thus manpower.
Cheap and cheerful Aldi/Lidl walking pole through the wheel each time should get the message across.
Fastest way would be a good stout stick in the front wheel. 😁
edit - gah, beaten to it while reading.
There were a few of them buzzing around Swinley in the last year or two, with one particular nob end posting his antics on YouTube, quite often with some not so polite and considerate friends. Can’t remember his name, but he looks like Jay from the inbetweeners.
Haven’t seen anything of them lately, perhaps it’s a bit cold and they’ll re-emerge in the spring. I’m hoping they’ve got bored and moved on to something else.
Legally no different to someone riding a petrol motorbike somewhere they’re not allowed, and just as unlikely to get caught.
This really. At least there no noise pollution (small mercies)
(Edited) as Tonyd says where was a bunch of them that frequented Swinley - documented here:
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/sauron-at-swinley/
TL;DR They got a fair bit of grief from other riders and eventually the penny dropped, I think they sold the bikes and I've not seen one there since.
I'm not sure how this is different to ebikes? Both create loads of erosion and additional ecological cost. Surely the issue you have here is the people riding them were being dicks?
Duxel rides aka alfie harris was the surron swinley helmet. He now rides a kenevo & is likely still a helmet.
EDIT above obvious troll is obvious, so I wont respond.
The difference is legality!
an unregistered sur Ron is effectively a battery motorbike
an ebike if untampered with is still a bike! If tampered with it is now not legal.
having seen these 🛎 ends flying around with a complete disregard to other users I think the vilification is justified, however I as before will draw the similarity of them riding where they shouldn’t and us riding where we shouldn’t (cheeky trails)
I’m not sure how this is different to ebikes? Both create loads of erosion and additional ecological cost. Surely the issue you have here is the people riding them were being dicks?
the difference is the amount of power and the legality
An e bike has a lot less power and is legal to use. these bikes are not legal and are a lot more powerful.
the Police don’t seem all that bothered either.
Did you call them?
I ride Cannock Chase from my house usually these types of riders wouldn’t be anywhere near Birches Valley.
I encounter them on a fairly regular basis but never seen them at what I’d consider honeypot locations. They’re usually ride at out of the way locations not usually frequented by non locals.
Not ever had an issue with them personally, they’ve always given way to me should we cross trails.
I’ve never seen these trails motorbike Police riders mentioned they’re probably more over Brindley Heath I suspect.
The worst erosion I’ve seen is from MTB riders creating paths that didn’t exist previously, probably best not too much chatter about trail erosion.
I saw two of these a couple of years back, having just come down the Lairig Ghru descent. I can't imagine any sort of policing working in remote areas, so I have no suggestions as to how they might be controlled but, at the moment, they don't seem to be a huge problem around here.
Having said that, if it's an issue of legality and excess power, many cyclists seem happy to turn a blind eye to ebike chipping so there is an element of hypocrisy at work.
Duxel rides aka alfie harris was the surron swinley helmet. He now rides a kenevo & is likely still a helmet.
Interesting, thanks. I'd take an e-bike helmet over an e-MX helmet any day - less chance of them damaging me or my kids 🙂
(I've no issue with people generally being helmets, I can be one myself)
many cyclists seem happy to turn a blind eye to ebike chipping so there is an element of hypocrisy at work.
I've started getting targeted adverts for ebike chipping on Facebook, which do generate a fair bit of pushback from MTBers in the comments, to be fair.
I don't see the Sur-Ron ****ers at Rivington any more. Maybe the things broke down, or they just don't like the cold?
They got a fair bit of grief from other riders and eventually the penny dropped, I think they sold the bikes and I’ve not seen one there since.
Say what you like about Swinley but this is an instance where a community came together & achieved a positive outcome. Yes, he got lots of grief but he absolutely deserved every bit of it. Well done all!
I’ve started getting targeted adverts for ebike chipping on Facebook, which do generate a fair bit of pushback from MTBers in the comments, to be fair.
Sure but you don't have to look further than this forum (this thread even 😉) to find an example.
I think some people in this thread are seriously confusing a chipped but still 250w bicycle with a 6000w motorbike and the scum of society that ride them.
I assume these things are a bit like jet skis were when they became popular with certain types.
Ride them twice while making Top Gear type woohoo noises then get bored and move on to the next thing.
confusing a chipped but still 250w bicycle with a 6000w motorbike and the scum of society that ride them
Is that both riders your referring to...?
🙃😜
Problem with Cannock is its proximity to major populated areas therefore being really accessible to folks who don't necessarily adhere to rules etc. I think there's also a Sur-Ron dealer based in Cannock too which surely isn't going to help.
Personally I don't think I've ever seen any up there but then I don't tend to ride that side of the Chase. I encountered a load of blokes on Enduro bikes riding the main bridleways around Sherbrook Valley once which is definitely a no no. Especially on a Sunday afternoon.
Like others have said, the only real practical thing to do (that won't land you in trouble) is to report it. Use 101 or report it online. I've done this a few times (found some traps set up near Brocton) and they do respond.
I should clarify before some other smartar$e, when I say Enduro bikes I mean motorbikes. Unapologetic, loud, motorbikes...
I should clarify before some other smartar$e, when I say Enduro bikes I mean motorbikes. Unapologetic, loud, motorbikes…
We are very close to the "loud" part going away. Electric proper motos from the major players are imminent.
Whether that means people are going to be pushing beyond the limits of legality more when they are inaudible is something to be seen.
I should clarify before some other smartar$e, when I say Enduro bikes I mean motorbikes. Unapologetic, loud, motorbikes…
Naa, the smartarses will just come to the defense of enduro riders by asking if they had road-legal tyres, number plates, or how could you tell if they had wide range gearboxes, low compression pistons and plusher suspension, or that enduro is a race format, not a bike, you can enduro on any motorbike depending on the events requirements, how do you know they weren't MX bikes with number plates and daylight MOT's, are you sure they weren't dual sports or green laners?
Must be where I live but I never see Sur-Rons on the trails, but on the (pedestrianised) high street... Yes, at full chat!
Can you get a daylight mot? When I was 17 I converted my kx80 to road legal with a 6v headlight and stop light and front hub mounted speedo. Ground the hub down to fit the speedo in the dropout. Wasn’t quite enough thread engaged. Wheel came off and it died buried in a parked capri. It was road legal taxed and insured though. Q185ENR
Not seen any here yet (rural Oxfordshire) but I expect them, chipped ebikes and electric scooters (as in not the legally hired ones) to become increasingly common and likely to cause more problems.
Mind you attitude matters a lot, I declined to dob in the two lads on mx bikes on the cycle path/footpath that they were illegally using to get to the farm fields, about 5mph max, stopped twice to let walkers by, interacting sensibly / considerately with everybody.
Can you get a daylight mot?
There's no such thing as a daylight MOT but the amount of times people ask about them on motorbike groups means there's obviously some confusion.
Basically you don't need lights to pass an MOT but if they're fitted they have to work. I think you only 'need' a horn. Everything else you can remove. I am not an expert.
Basically you don’t need lights to pass an MOT but if they’re fitted they have to work.
If you dont have lights are you allowed to ride at night?
No, that’s why everyone calls it a “daylight mot” even though it’s just an mot with advisory that no lights were fitted.
you need a brake light so on a 'crosser that generally means a 'lighting coil' so you might as well have a front light and full MOT hence 'enduro' bikes.
Obviously none of that applies to bike life ****ers, Surron ****s and you might as well add Sam Pilgrim and his electric motorbike local park vids.
you need a brake light
You really don't.
Back on topic.
As ever it's not the bike , it's if it's being ridden in the appropriate manner and place that's the problem.
As with any bike.
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singlespeedstu
Full Memberyou need a brake light
You really don’t.
Back on topic.
As ever it’s not the bike , it’s if it’s being ridden in the appropriate manner and place that’s the problem.
As with any bike.
This, exactly....
And no, you don’t need a brake light if you don’t have any other lights.
Whether that means people are going to be pushing beyond the limits of legality more when they are inaudible is something to be seen.
Almost certainly, if people are prepared to travel from Liverpool to East Lancashire because they think they can get away with it on noisy bikes they'll do it on emx,
Bit surprising that some on this thread would paint all Sur-ron owners as the lowest form of scum and throw a stick through their spokes.
Yet as soon as a log gets laid down across a not-exactly-legal mtb trail...
Oh my god won't you think of the children you monster?!?!?!
Sure Sur rons attract some antisocial bellends but then so does MTB or 'whatver activity it is you do that I don't like' in the little outdoor space we have in this country.
what is their intended purpose? seriosus question. if anyone can go out and buy one, and its not road legal, where can they be ridden?
They can be ridden anywhere you have the permission of the landowner.
mahalo
what is their intended purpose? seriosus question. if anyone can go out and buy one, and its not road legal, where can they be ridden?
Private land/where you have permission from the landowner - the same as the e-scooter things.....
The problem is the shop owner/retailer only has to tell you it's for use on private land and not public roads/areas etc. and they have fulfilled their legal obligation - what ever you do with it after point of purchase is nothing to do with them.
A lot of the riders seem to think that as they use MTB brakes and other components that that makes them e-bikes and NOT an e-moto.
Naa, the smartarses will just come to the defense of enduro riders by asking if they had road-legal tyres, number plates, or how could you tell if they had wide range gearboxes, low compression pistons and plusher suspension, or that enduro is a race format, not a bike, you can enduro on any motorbike depending on the events requirements, how do you know they weren’t MX bikes with number plates and daylight MOT’s, are you sure they weren’t dual sports or green laners?
It doesn't make any difference...motor vehicles aren't allowed to ride/drive anywhere on Cannock Chase. They used to do 4x4 days up there which were lead round a specific area but not seen those for years, not after some folks tipped their Landrover over and had to be rescued. I meant 'enduro' in the sense of the MTB definition.
Not sure if it's a coincidence but I had the said Sur-Ron dealer in Cannock liking a recent Insta post 😛
It doesn’t make any difference
That was my tongue in cheek point, that there will always be a smartarse who'll pick up on whether it was really "MXers" or "enduro bikes" or "unregistered electric motorbikes". Ignoring the fact that 9 times out of 10 they do in fact deserve tarring with the same brush.
That was my tongue in cheek point, that there will always be a smartarse who’ll pick up on whether it was really “MXers” or “enduro bikes” or “unregistered electric motorbikes”. Ignoring the fact that 9 times out of 10 they do in fact deserve tarring with the same brush.
Lol, I got you 🙂 I thought that's where you were coming from although on the internet you can never be too sure 😛
Ignoring the fact that 9 times out of 10 they do in fact deserve tarring with the same brush.
Don't forget feathers too.
Bit surprising that some on this thread would paint all Sur-ron owners as the lowest form of scum and throw a stick through their spokes.
Given that they seem to ride where they don't have permission, on unlawful vehicles what would you suggest we do? Direct action (A stick through the wheel) for someone breaking rule one seems a proportionate response. Unlike indiscriminately booby trapping a trail for someone to require stitches or hospital treatment. Get the right jury and the direct action may even be aquitted like the Colston 4.
Given that they seem to ride where they don’t have permission, on unlawful vehicles what would you suggest we do? Direct action (A stick through the wheel) for someone breaking rule one seems a proportionate response. Unlike indiscriminately booby trapping a trail for someone to require stitches or hospital treatment. Get the right jury and the direct action may even be aquitted like the Colston 4.
Will they let off the emxer who fills you in after you disable his emx?
Violence gives their current threats, criminal damage and generally shitty behaviour some legitimacy.
Get pictures, report, every single time you see them. Sticks in wheels is just stupid.
Never really had an issue when i've seen them, have seen a couple up FoD on the jumps bit of GBU and in off-piste bits, but they tend to keep themselves to themselves, are pretty good, so not really damaging the jumps and go at quiet times.
Same with others i've seen, they tend to be out the way and pretty harmless, but that's just the experiences i've had, it'll be different across the country as always.
So.... are they worth getting one??
Quite tempted for something to rag about the farm.
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soundb0y
Free MemberSo…. are they worth getting one??
Quite tempted for something to rag about the farm.
I’ve ridden one (albeit briefly) that belongs to a friend of mine...
To say that I was underwhelmed is putting it mildly. No way is it anything like riding a proper motorcycle - mind you, in my friend’s defence, he bought it to just cruise around the big camp site that he owns and runs, so I’ll let him off...
In your position I’d buy a three or four year old trials bike, especially if you’ve got some good rocky gullies or steep banks to play about on, it’ll be far more fun, believe you me.
You can get something pretty tidy for less than you’d pay for one of those Sur-ron pieces of s**t.
Must admit, I was tempted after the whole Swinley palava to get a road-registered one. My parents live up in the Dales and currently get around a lot on e-bikes, but I think dad would enjoy something with just a bit more capability/range (I've ridden the same routes he does, on a CX bike, but I'm mad).
But then realized it's got less power and range than a 50cc moped, the same legality, and costs the same as a 2nd hand electric KTM. And I can't afford the KTM either 🤣
Been a bit of Sur-ron action in my hood this week.
Yesterday I saw a lad on one pull out onto the main road, away at the lights then pop a massive wheelie behind the cars.
I saw him and another lad on one later on in the park nearby, wearing balaclavas.
I think they were riding some of the little bits of wooded singletrack we have in there 😐
Today I came away from work and approaching the lights, the two flew across right to left, both wearing balaclavas.
I turned the corner and watched them flying up the busy road on back wheels behind cars. They then ran a red light and carried on through the traffic.
They were heading on a road that would lead to this park again but about a mile away from it.
Knobbers. Clearly know they're unlikely to be caught.
Sadly I think it'll end up affecting the precious few little cycle trails we have. Some of these already get logs put across them regularly by dog walkers.
The Sur-rons aren't going to help that 😡
This is a park which is supposed to be having some short mtb trails built but we had an almighty battle with the loopy militant dog walkers about it. This definitely won't help.
They can be ridden anywhere you have the permission of the landowner.
Except within a SSSI.
There's lad who rides one round here. Full on balaclava, no helmet. Saw him go past the other day whilst riding with no hands as both were used to hold his phone he was looking at. Took him a few seconds to realise he was on the wrong side of the road.
I expect natural selection will eventually win out in his case.
Is the no helmet thing because the police won’t give chase if the rider isn’t wearing one?
Yes, very likely.
Difficult situation for the police.
what is their intended purpose? seriosus question. if anyone can go out and buy one, and its not road legal, where can they be ridden?
A petrol head Moto cross track up the road from me now has a sign outside it advertising EMX track. The lack of noise may allow them greater opening hours.
Difficult situation for the police.
It's really not.
Difficult situation for the police.
It’s really not
No? Ever tried to catch one?
They can and do go anywhere whatsoever at high speed and you can't chase them anyway because they ain't got helmets on.
I'd say that's a touch tricky, no?
Sorry, just to be clear, I was saying that the fact that they aren't wearing a helmet shouldn't influence the police response in any way.
I totally agree that pursuing a reckless, fast, small vehicle whose driver is completely disregarding the law and any consequences is very tricky.
As they aren't road legal, surely there is no requirement to wear a helmet on them in the first place?
surely there is no requirement to wear a helmet on them in the first place?
Just because they arent road legal doesnt mean those laws dont apply to them.
Its just that in addition with being done for riding without insurance/licence/tax/helmet you also get done for an unroadworthy vehicle.
Anyone riding an illegal motorbike (electric or otherwise) in an anti-social manner and chooses not to wear a helmet deserves everything they get. Not chasing them because they could get hurt or killed? They made a choice, screw them.
Anyone riding an illegal motorbike (electric or otherwise) in an anti-social manner and chooses not to wear a helmet deserves everything they get. Not chasing them because they could get hurt or killed? They made a choice, screw them
Well, although it's not someone riding a Sur Ron, the link below shows that someone riding like a dick who gets killed still has rights, for good or bad.
Seen a few in Sherwood pines and on the roads locally. Usually wearing hoodies and balaclavas. Just like electric scooters they are used by people on lookout and selling drugs. I wouldn’t be trying to fetch them off with a stick in their spokes tbh as you may get involved in something the average person doesn’t need to be involved in.
As for chipped ebikes how do you know and does a chip give them more power than 250w and a throttle ? 🤔
But then realized it’s got less power and range than a 50cc moped, the same legality, and costs the same as a 2nd hand electric KTM. And I can’t afford the KTM either
A lad down my road has one, apparently it's been modded to do 100mph. How true that is and how long it'd do that for I have no idea.
Sounds exciting on a glorified Ebike with a balaclava and sunglasses for protection.
2 in Rawtenstall tonight along with an off-road scooter thing. My dog hates them!!!!
I see quite a few in Bristol. Mainly kids tearing about beeping their horns as they go. "At least they use their bells..." (runs)
does a chip give them more power than 250w
Often yes - depends on the motor spec fitted to begin with. And there's loads going around on throttle only. Obv not the same as a 5000W e-MX though.
A couple of weekends ago the wife and I were enjoying the heady delights of Portobello promenade. It was a sunny day, so there were loads of folk out walking with wee kids, dogs and assorted old giffers. As we walked, I could hear a commotion swelling behind me and when I turned to look, my face was about 6 inches away from an oncoming front wheel.
Three teenagers in hoodies with their scarves pulled up, on leccy motorbikes showing off some impressive wheelie skills, whilst causing absolute carnage as they barrelled through the crowds.
They obviously thought it was hilarious, but I must admit I wasn't so much angry as bewildered. Who buys their kids these sort of things and expects them to be used responsibly?
Then I saw a wee 3/4 year old zipping past on a leccy balance bike and my hope for the future of humanity sank even lower.
Oh, and just for disclosure purposes, I ride an Orange Four and a Spesh Levo and couldn't pop a wheelie on either of them if my life depended on it.
B.
They obviously thought it was hilarious, but I must admit I wasn’t so much angry as bewildered. Who buys their kids these sort of things and expects them to be used responsibly?
Then I saw a wee 3/4 year old zipping past on a leccy balance bike and my hope for the future of humanity sank even lower.
Cars? Or e-MXs?
I see kids pulling wheelies in town as them taking back some of where they live, asserting something over the pretty much nothing the city has left. If they stop traffic, power to them. It's a symptom of how fked up our cites are for many kids growing up.
Whataboutery maybe but while cars do so much damage I'm not in a rush to demonise kids on scooters or sur-rons, or BMXs, etc.