The Hawke's Bay Regional Council and police have joined forces to stop dirt bike riders illegally riding on sections of the region's trails as they have become a hazard to walkers and cyclists and are damaging the pathways.
In a statement yesterday, the council said dirt bikes and other motorbikes are not permitted on the Hawke's Bay trails.
"The cycleways or pathways are designed for walking and cycling, and a collision with a fast moving dirt bike could cause serious injury or death."
While there had always been an occasional motorcyclist straying on to the pathway, Hawke's Bay Regional Council's rivers manager Vince Byrne said the problem has grown recently.
A change in the gate system to make it easier for cyclists to get through has also made it easy for dirt bikers as well. The problem has reached such an extent that the previous "kissing gate" system is being reinstated in the worst areas.