Hansard

I thank my colleagues for supporting my motion and allowing it to be debated in the chamber. It is a pleasure to lead the debate and to recognise the success and outstanding achievements of a remarkable group of individuals and a fantastic community group that plays such an important role in Fife—the Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club. Before I reflect on the history, growth and success of the club and recognise the dedication, passion and resilience of its members, I would like to welcome some of those very people to the chamber—David Paton, chief executive officer and founder of the club, Jessica Carstairs, Calum MacLellan, Calum Michie, Kevin Davis and Owen Montgomery.

First, what is Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club? It is a registered charity whose aim is to make local communities safer by providing a controlled area for children, young people and adults to enjoy off-road motorcycling. However, that is merely the tip of the iceberg. Through its social awareness and re-education programmes in Fife, which seek to change behaviour, attitudes and values, it has helped to reduce antisocial and illegal use of off-road motorcycles. It recognises the value of its high-adrenaline-fuelled activity and the use of motorcycle-related activities as a means to influence positive change and promote health and child and youth development.

From its humble beginnings 21 years ago to the dynamic and vibrant club that it is today, Kingdom Off Road has become a shining example in the world of off-road motorcycle riding. It is committed to creating an environment where young people can grow, not just as riders but as individuals. The relationships and friendships that are formed in the club are invaluable and foster a sense of belonging while developing independence, resilience and character.

I have followed the club’s progress with a keen interest over the years and watched with great pride as it expanded and grew into the invaluable community asset that it is today. I have also taken part in a session with the club. My staff—many of whom have never been on a motorbike before—and I recently headed along to meet the team and try our hand at some off-road riding. There were varying degrees of success but I can assure members—and they can imagine—that a single common factor was the smile on all our faces and the buzz, which lasted for days.

While preparing for the debate, I asked the club whether any of its members would like to give us an insight into what the club means to them and how it has impacted on their lives. I am extremely grateful to everyone who took the time to share their story with me, and I would like to share a couple of them with members now.

This is Lewis’s story:

“I have volunteered at Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club for two years now. I go to the track and workshop every week, where I fix and maintain bikes for the club. I want to be a mechanic, so this is definitely helping. I also assist on track days, maintaining the track and ensuring that it is in the best condition for riders. Through my last year at school, I was authorised day release, where I helped out with Kingdom Off Road’s structured group working and mental health programmes. Volunteering for the club has given me opportunities to attend events, including the Scottish six-day trial in Fort William, where I was part of a Scorpa UK support team in keeping the bikes maintained and up to spec for the riders to compete. I attended the Drumlanrig castle Scottish road festival, where I had a stand as an assistant coach, and we taught people to ride. I always have fun, I am volunteering and I love to learn new skills. I feel very lucky to receive an amazing sponsorship deal from Kingdom Off Road and Duncan Wood’s East Neuk Trials Motorcycles. They are providing me with a trial bike to compete in the Scottish championships. I want to say a huge thank you to them both. I love off-road motorcycle sport and I feel very lucky to be given this opportunity.”

This testament comes from Lewis’s mum:

“Kingdom have played a crucial role in my son’s life opportunities and have positively impacted on his wellbeing and social skills. My son volunteers and they have provided him with mechanical experience, which has helped him secure a mechanical apprenticeship, which he will start in August. He has also developed a passion for riding and competing on trial bikes. That has been encouraged and supported by Kingdom, allowing him to develop his skills and participate in events. Because of Kingdom, my son has constantly achieved, from education awards, volunteering awards and skills development. All have really underpinned and improved his sense of self wellbeing. We will be forever grateful to Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club and will continue to support the charity to ensure that other young people are afforded the same opportunities as my son.”

Calvin’s aunt wanted to share the following words:

“Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club has helped Calvin a lot over the past year that he has been around them. He was on a programme after being referred to Kingdom Off Road charity through his school. This is where he got his chance to ride off-road motorcycles in a safer, legal place, where he was no longer getting into trouble. He stopped antisocial riding in the local community. After the programme, he was asked to be a volunteer for them. The volunteering has boosted his confidence and we have noticed an improvement in his behaviour as well. It has helped him improve on the bike too. He has been given the opportunity to do motorcycle racing events and follow his dreams. Calvin loves going to the club and he helps out every weekend and often during weeks too.”

Lastly, we have Jay’s story.

“He was struggling at school and riding illegally. He attended a club, the through the gears programme that is run in partnership with the community learning and development team in Levenmouth. His progress has seen his school attendance and behaviour in the community improve. He no longer rides illegally on the streets or in local parks. He does enjoy demonstrating his skills at the Scottish Twin Shock championship. He is usually in the top three of his start line. Competing is fierce and the quality of riders this year is great. Jay has finished his last race of the season in a commendable sixth position. He has now passed his motor CBT test and can ride a motorcycle legally on the road. This will help him with his transportation to employment or further education. More recently, Jay has been invited to visit Gray Fabrication in Cupar. Our charity has nominated him as being a good candidate, competent in the use of tools and mechanical knowledge, some of which he has learned from his time at Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club. Over the last year, Jay has grown in confidence and we hope his potential position on a mechanical maintenance apprenticeship will offer him”

the opportunity

“to kick-start his life beyond school.”

It is important that the voices of those young people are heard and that their experiences are recognised and used as we look to shape the future delivery of services and ensure a culture of inclusion.

Although off-road riding is an exhilarating sport, antisocial behaviour, illegal riding and misuse of road bikes is a problem in many constituencies. We have all witnessed the damage to roads, green spaces and other vehicles, but there is also an element of human tragedy that often occurs with antisocial behaviour. The work of the club with the area’s youngsters has produced dramatic results. Local police have witnessed an 80 per cent reduction in calls about the illegal use of motorcycles, as well as a decline in traffic incidents. That is a notable reduction and a testament to the passion and dedication of the staff and volunteers at the club. Many accolades and awards have been bestowed on them over the years and, from coaching sessions to volunteering mechanical engineers, volunteering hours at the club have exceeded 5,000 hours, with more than 25 people regularly giving their time.

Never one to rest on their laurels, David and his team are always looking to the future: electric trial parks, school initiatives and better ways of sharing effective intervention strategies, and research and work to discourage young people from being involved in illegal and dangerous activities—they truly never take a breath. Indeed, I know that they followed the debate about off-road vehicles in the chamber in September, which was led by my colleague Bob Doris, and were pleased to hear his call for a working group to be established by the Scottish Government to look at how partnership working can tackle the misuse of vehicles. As one of the leaders in research into and knowledge of off-road misuse behaviour, I believe that the club could be an integral part of that working group.

Antisocial behaviour involving the use of vehicles is on the rise. There is much work to be done to tackle that problem and make our streets and green spaces safer for everyone. However, the work of the Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club has shown that, with the right people, the right tools and a lot of hard work, a big difference can be made. I congratulate the club on everything that it has achieved so far, and I look forward to seeing its success in the future.