Off-Road Bikes

Off-Road Bikes

Off-road biking can be great fun and an exciting sport if it’s done safely and legally.

Across Scotland, young people like you are making positive choices by learning where and how they can ride responsibly, without putting themselves or others at risk.

Why Rules Matter

Riding in the wrong places can cause real problems, like:

• People getting hurt - including you
• Animals getting scared, hurt or having their homes destroyed
• Parks, paths or property being wrecked

Choosing to ride safely and legally means you're showing respect for others, protecting your future and looking out for your friends and neighbours.

What’s Legal in Scotland?

In Scotland, you can’t ride off-road bikes (like dirt bikes, moto-cross, trial and endurance bikes, mini motos, quad bikes and some other mechanically propelled bikes) on:

• Roads
• Pavements
• Parks
• Car parks
• Cycle paths
• Beaches

That’s because these are public places - even if there’s nobody around.

 To ride on a road, your bike needs:

• To be registered, taxed, insured and MOT’d
• You need a licence
• You MUST wear a helmet

Most off-road bikes don’t have all that - so they can’t go on public land.

What Happens If You Break the Rules?

If you ride where you shouldn’t, here’s what could happen:

• The police can take your bike
• You could be fined or banned from driving in the future
• You might face criminal charges

But it doesn’t have to come to that - making positive choices now helps you avoid problems later and shows you're thinking about others.

So Where Can You Ride?

There are some private places set up in Scotland that let you ride off-road bikes safely and legally (with the right gear). Not every town has one - and sometimes they cost money - but they’re the best and safest places to ride. You can search for them online.

If there’s nowhere near you and this is something you care about, rather than riding illegally and putting yourself and others in danger -  you can ask your local Councillor or MSP to help try to get a safe place to ride. Find out who they are here →  Contacting someone else who represents you about your issue | Scottish Parliament Website

Know Someone Riding Illegally?

If you know who is riding off-road bikes illegally in your local area, you can make a difference by speaking up - completely anonymously.

You might help stop someone getting hurt or help protect your local community.

Report information HERE: Give information anonymously | Crimestoppers

We can’t track who you are, your IP address or location - no one will ever know the information came from you.

Be a Legend - Do It Right

Every time you ride safely and legally, you're showing you're smart, respectful and part of the solution.

You’re helping your area be safer and more fun for everyone.