Meeting of the Parliament 12 December 2024
I do not often speak in members’ business debates, and even more rarely do I pop up in debates that are about areas outside the north-east. However, on this occasion, I saw the motion that David Torrance put forward on the Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club and I pretty much demanded to speak in the debate, because what the club is doing is brilliant.
Two aspects of what the club does caught my attention. First, it focuses on reducing illegal and antisocial motorcycling in communities. As David Torrance pointed out, many of us will be familiar with or represent places where that happens. We all recognise that, although the police do their absolute best—as they always do—funding and resource issues make their job challenging. We also recognise that a formal response to criminal or antisocial behaviour is one way to deal with things, but such an approach can have consequences for individuals that extend long into the future and impact their life choices and chances going forward. Sometimes, a different approach will result in better outcomes in the short and longer terms, and for the individual and the community.
That is one of the things that the club is about. It takes that energy and passion for riding and excitement, and channels them in productive and useful ways, while also providing insight into the impact of antisocial behaviour and victims’ perspectives. That says to young people, “Make different choices, not only to enjoy what you are doing but to do it safely and with positive outcomes for all.”
The club is proactive. Earlier this week, I saw on its Facebook page that it had put out a call to find bikers who have been putting themselves and others at risk. It sought to find out who they are, contact them and work with them to make those different life choices. The data shows that that works, as David Torrance said. The motion refers to local police reporting an 80 per cent reduction in calls about the illegal use of motorcycles as well as a decline in traffic incidents. Perhaps Inspector Matt Spencer of the Levenmouth police station put it best when he said that the club has been
“an integral part in the work we do to tackle antisocial behaviour. They provide a safe and structured environment to teach the responsible use of bikes, along with the opportunity to learn maintenance skills.”
All that is impressive in itself, but there is another reason why I was keen to speak. Members may know that I am a keen biker, and I am very jealous that David Torrance got a shot at off-road. In my view, biking is about road craft and also about transferable skills, from working on the bike and from being social. It is also one of the best ways that I have found for reflection and destressing. I agree with David Paton, the club’s founder, when he said, after the club won an award from sportscotland, that it is also about
“the fitness and dedication required”
to ride.
Safe riding is good, but it is neither the easiest thing to get into nor the cheapest. There is a real risk that it is denied to people who do not have the funds or, perhaps, the opportunities, or that those who are keen to get into riding will take a, shall we say, less appropriate route. Therefore, the fact that the club has as one of its key aims that of making motorbiking more accessible is to be absolutely commended, because that gives, as the club puts it,
“a chance for youngsters to take part in high-adrenaline sports in a safe and controlled way”.
That is demonstrated by the fact that the club has taken on a coach to encourage school pupils to get involved through three introductory sessions.
I have no hesitation in echoing David Torrance’s commendation of Foundation Scotland’s foresight in giving the club £90,000 from the tackling inequalities fund. I wish all involved with Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club—especially the dedicated volunteers who are so crucial to it—every success in continuing to achieve their aims, both now and for a long time to come.
13:03