Widening Participation
Case Study

Durham Police BikeWise Team

The Local Authority Support Unit (LASU) project addresses the issue of illegal and illicit motorcycle and mini-moto use that faces local authorities, police forces and landowners.  LASU provides professional advice and guidance to the relevant authorities on the benefits of providing facilities as well as sharing best practice on establishing such facilities and on overcoming common problems.

In 2006 Durham Police contacted the LASU team regarding the mini-moto issue in their area.  LASU provided a sergeant from the Durham Police Motorcycle Section with all the information he needed to approach Durham County Council (Road Safety Dept.) and the County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service to secure partnership funding.

Once this was in place a date was set for the training sessions covering health & safety, child protection and running a mini-moto session prior to the first meeting of the BikeWise Mini Bike Club.  Since then the club has held four meetings and has a membership base of over 40 young people.

More information can be found on their website: http://www.durham.police.uk/bikewise