Drift trike riders risk losing car licences - police

File photo / NZ Herald

Drift trike riders may risk losing their driving licences, Christchurch police say.

Senior Sergeant Glenn Nalder said police have received a number of complaints about the vehicles from residents in Huntsbury and neighbouring areas over the past few months.

Drift trikes have a regular bicycle wheel in the front, with two small rear wheels. Similar to popular drift cars, riders of the tricycles plummet downhill, letting the back of the trike slide as they head around corners.

"We're very concerned about the dangers to the riders and to other road users," Mr Nalder said. "Drift-trike riders take their lives in their hands and there's a risk that sooner or later one of these riders will suffer serious injury or death."

Mr Nalder said there had been complaints of the trikes travelling downhill at speed - often at night and on the wrong side of the road. He said the bikes are also annoying for residents as they can be noisy.

As drift trikes are classed as a vehicle under the Land Transport Act, if they are used on the road they must keep left and obey relevant road rules, Mr Nalder said.

"Riders need to remember that they have responsibilities as road users and that when they put their own safety and that of other road users at risk Police will take action.

"Offences committed on a drift trike may also put the rider's car licence at risk of disqualification."

Mr Nalder said complaints are received about drift trikes in the hill suburbs most weekends.

"Police are keeping a close watch on this activity and will be visiting areas where drift-trikes are in action. We encourage people to report drift-trike activity. We will respond to these complaints and take enforcement action against drift-trike riders if need be."

- NZHERALD STAFF