It’s not just the numbers but the crazy behaviour of a minority of bikers which is the problem
The summer months each year brings hundreds of bikers twice a week to the area around the pub at Bassetts Pole.
It’s been a regular meeting place for many years but costs tens of thousands to police and more often than not causes concern and worry for local people who live in the areas bikers travel through on the way to the meet.
As I say, it’s a minority or motorcyclists that do the really daft stuff although I do have first hand experience of just how daft and potentially dangerous it can be. Last year I was driving along the A5 in the direction of the A38 when I had what I estimate to be a dozen motorbikes overtake at high speed on both sides of me. And, of course, it’s a single carriageway road!
But each year I also get complaints from people living along the A513, A51, A5 and A38 about motorcycles travelling at phenomenal speeds presumably on the way to and from Bassetts Pole on the days they meet.
Apart from the dodgy behaviour it is the sheer numbers who meet there which causes problems too. The site is absolutely packed meaning it can be disruptive to people wanting to have a quiet night at the pub and with the bikers often come the ‘boy racers’ who tag along and cause their own issues… often well past midnight.
So it’s a problem but there is a fine balance between being a killjoy, making sure that people aren’t intimidated, safety issues and accounting for the large cost of policing it year after year.
I met with police, at their request, to discuss a way forward and look at options. I also went with them to see for myself the scale of the issue although it’s early in the season and the weather wasn’t conducent to motorcycling on the night.
But I am supportive of looking for a solution which deals with the issues and potentially reduces the need for such a learge, and fixed, police presence. I’ll write more in the next couple of weeks.
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Try looking at the example of Poole Quay, they to a large extent self police, raise money for charity and contribute to the community.
http://www.pooletourism.com/page/ref:N4D9C41C9B7A94/
This is utter madness, please tell me that the police will be banning all football matches due to the millions they cost to police each year, oh yes and maybe we should be banning the olympics too, how much is that costing the police…..
This is a small scale and generally well behaved bike event, which has very few issues that need policing
Peter, clearly you want this photo chasing opportunist politician to stand back and let this thing be abandoned as a starting point rather than taking time and effort to reach a sensible agreement which suits most parties.
Well I might just do that and see what happens then.
You clearly prefer a rant at an individual who is looking for the sensible but more complex alternative rather than the easy option of simply banning it which would probably benefit me far more politically.
Why not just broadbrush all politicians as the same… oh you are!!
The content of this “Weblog” illustrates a total lack of factual truth connected to the Basset’s Pole ‘Bike Nights’ and the old chestnut of scaremongering tactics used by persons keen to grab a Photo opportunity or PR Scoop.
The ‘Tens of Thousands’ that are spent on Policing – Really? To have more than a passing presence (which is all that is required), hardly costs that much, and besides, before the Gov’t Cuts in Policing, Staffs Police were required to patrol their Divisional areas. However, in the last decade, they, in concert with the County Council have become manic followers of the “Greed Camera” … there are more Cameras in Staffordshire than in 65% of all other UK Counties!
Whenever Staffs Police have conducted VERY aggresive operatrions at Bassetts Pole, I have seen the Law broken by Police Officers who were trying to intimidate the Public. I won’t mention the Political use of Emergency Ambulances, taken off Public Response calls to be used as PR Tools bty the Police, I won’t mention the illegal use of Private land by the Police and VOSA, and I won’t mention the unwarranted threats to and verbal abuse of Warwickshire Councillors at the site by Police Officers.
I am all for reasoned debate, and, where needed, actions relevant to the case. BUT … over-reaction based upon bias or political points scoring NO. In a world of equality, what would be the case if this were a Muslim Gathering, or A Gay/Lesbian Parade?
Well, there are some interesting comments here regarding the situation with Bassetts Pole. Positive and negatives with plenty of relevance, there is a compromise somewhere but it needs some structure. I was the biker at the other end of the line on the radio programs last week and interestingly enough County Councillor Ellis wasn’t anti-biker, which makes a refreshing change. I shall be making a point of helping this issue along with some degree of consultation from all concerned. I have been attending bassetts Pole for well over 15 years and it would be silly to put a ban on it, a previous comment mentioned it would move to a less adequate location which is totally true. This location has a decent infrastructure and road network to cope, it needs marshalling, the cars to be prevented from parking illegally and selfishly and the protagonists who ride across the grass and generally have no respect for the location should be singled out. This is about the site where the pub and McDonalds have authority, not the roadway which the Police, as much as they would like to resist have an obligation to look after.
Thanks for so many comments about the Bassetts Pole motorbike meeting.
Apart from Rhea’s comments which come from a position of ignorance about the work I do for my constituents they have been very helpful indeed.
To be clear, I’m not one for banning everything as a first port of call which is exactly why I’ve asked the police to hold back on that option until other avenues have been explored. See the most recent post I have written on this.
It’s the size of the meeting which is the big issue plus the small number of lunatics, both on bikes and in cars, which it attracts and who spoil it for the vast majority reputationally. That behaviour by a few causes real problems for the people who simply go to socialise and enjoy each others company and bikes. That minority also cause real problems for local communities in the surrounding areas… which I have witnessed first hand on several occassions and thought was utterly mad.
The police presence needed on site as it stands is very significant and this approach would not be taken at things like large car boots or other regular events of this size… such as football matches, as someone mentioned in the comments. Those events contribute to the cost if significant on site policing is needed.
Banning shouldn’t be the first option but an event like this should have some organisation which would reduce the safety risks and also the numbers of police needed. The police should be available to concentrate on dealing with the minority of riders and drivers who’s road behaviour adversely affects communities on the way to the site.
It can’t continue as it is in a completely unregulated way with no organisation from anyone. It is currently dangerous because with the numbers attending people have to spill out far and wide onto the highway. There were at least a dozen incidents at the last one which could have resulted in accidents, one very nearly a serious one, because of that.
I’ve instigated work to try to identify some sort of organising group, perhaps made up from attendees there… and businesses on the site, as was suggested in the comments, if they benefit… but I don’t believe they do from what I understand.
If a group could take some responsibility at the event, the numbers could be moderated and the size of the police presence reduced on site accordingly. Leaflets will be handed out shortly asking people to come forward offereing themselves to be part of an organising group or to at least understand the concerns and look for sensible fair solutions.
I’m always grateful of intelligent comments, thoughts and ideas like the vast majority have been so far. I firmly believe the easy options aren’t always the right ones but it certainly can’t continue as it is without any moderation.
For info there are two recent posts on this issue…
http://www.matthewellis.cc/archives/15361
http://www.matthewellis.cc/archives/15229
Another politician trying to make out he’s working hard ‘for the community’…Why don’t they actualy do work that will do some good..They make me sick…. I see car drivers on the Mobile phones driving dangerously far more than I do Speeders either on 2 or 4 wheels. Get a grip!!!!
I suggest those who benefit financially from the meet and who,s land it is take some responsibility for these unorganized meets .By that I mean Mc Donalds , its mainly their land and the money spent in their er Restaurant (I use that term loosely ) must run well into the high hundreds if not thousand or more pounds , I’m sure the pub takes a lot more money on these nights also ,even if it is not the clientele he would actually wish for as I understand the Manager is anti Motorcycle.
I can understand the safety concerns, but fail to have ever seen a ‘substantial’ police presence at Bassetts Pole- usually its a constable and a pcso doing laps around the car park to ensure egress for those that wish to leave!
It seems almost stupid to even consider banning our weekly meets, as at present we use the car parks and facilities in an area with very little housing around- causing fewer problems for the police to deal with, than if we were to be moved on to a less suitable venue.
Dear Mr Matthew
First of all, I would like to say that I am a biker, and I do not live or ever had the pleasure of visit the area.
I have to say that I’m shocked with the type of approach chosen/considered to deal with this “problem”. Can’t help to think about times in history, where people lost the right to meet in public. Scary times, with even more scary outcomes. You might consider my association a bit extreme, but unfortunately it’s how I feel.
I do understand that big gatherings might require “some order”, in everyone’s interest, and specially concerning everyone’s safety. I also understand, that the current and continuous cuts in services (like police numbers and presence), might lead to the situation where they are forced to stretch to their operational limits, and “covering their bits”, it’s easier for them to suggest a simple ban of the “event”. Personally, I find it regrettable, shameful, and dangerous.
As a road user, I also find it particularly insulting that due to some people feeling threatened by disrespectful bikers, this implies the ban of a gathering of like minded individuals. I wonder if we, as bikers, would suggest a similar approach, every time a car or a truck ignores us and pushes us out of the road. We also pay road tax.You know Matthew, cars have bumpers, we have bones, and many of us carry on our bodies scars of these encounters. And in the same way, considering the impact of a typical night out on weekends has in the Services, can’t help but wonder why don’t they distribute rationing cards for alcoholic drinks, in order to prevent excesses, or why not ban alcohol altogether.But I digress…
I’m aware that we’re not all a bunch of boy scouts: We’re not. But it’s unreasonable to classify people, accordingly to the type of vehicle they use.
I would like to leave you a suggestion: I’ve seen similar scenarios, and the same fears, etc, etc., and different approaches to “deal with the problem”. I can tell you that the ban-like approaches, never worked, and to some point, made the deviant behaviours even more extreme. On the other end, a cooperative, reasonable approach, had excellent results for all, specially the local community.You see, instead of a repressive approach, a open hand usually has better results. This could be an excellent “excuse” to create a regular event, perhaps granting different conditions ( I admitted above not to know the details), in order that everyone takes benefits from it. Law abiding citizens like and cherish this type of meet, and i’m sure you will find many cooperative bikers, willing to do their best to keep the meeting going, having everyone’s interest in mind. You might be surprised with what bikers can do. Nurture, instead of trying to push us out of the road: We are used to that, you see?
Best Regards
How dare the police talk about banning this meet, what sort of fascist state do we live in. If you want to talk about the cost of policing this weekly event what about looking at football matches which costs many thousands more to police, and a few bad apples spoil it for the rest. Are we going to ban football next?
If it is only the minority, ban them not all the other sensible bikers…..Same as in any large group of people there will always be a few who do not want the same as everybody else…..Bassetts Pole is well policed and have video vans quite frequently…
I have been to bassetts a few times an normally it is a fairly peaceful gathering, but on occasions you do get the odd one or twoidiots causing a disturbance.
Most of the riders that attend do respect the speed limits an try not to upset any of the locals,but yet again it would appear that there are some that are completely anti bike this is becoming a really common issue as they don’t understand bikes, causethey are small makes it look like they are going very fast when we are not.
If they do ban the bassets meet it will simply move to another location!
Bassets meet is based there as its a reasonable distance from most houses if it moves it could end up a lot closer to a resedential area causing a lot more problems.
If the police know its a few that are causing the problem why not single them out an deal with them ? The police the other week made no effort to actually stop any stupid behaviour but stood there stopping bikes entering the carpark causing them to spill out onto the road so they actually caused a large problem by being there.
We have had enough of the police discrimination towards bikers!
We will only take so much, just look at wales they discriminated an 1000′s of bikers defended to show we will not be victimised!
A few complete idiots ruin this for the majority, simple as that. I don’t stick to limits, but common sense should prevail when mr plod is watching
Absolutley ridiculous. It’s always the bikers, always, yes there are idiots but they are the ones that find the time in there pathetic useless lives to take the time to complain, giving it all the “speeding at phenomenal speeds” rubbish. Now that’s a load I rubbish, people are just anti bikers full stop. Instead of focusing on a bunch of freinds getting together for a natter and a laugh once a week why don’t you focus on the scumbags that roam the street robbing old ladies? The scumbags selling drugs to kids? And I don’t wan a reply, or your pathetic excuses as I’ve seen this with my own eyes. 50 minutes the local police took to attend an attempted robbery of my sisters house last year. Why, I hear you ask!? Because bassets pole was way more important and that’s where the police strength was. Knitting conventions are dangerous when needles are in the wrong hands, same as a motorcycle, don’t see you policing them. So long suckers.
I was there a few weeks ago when the police stopped people on motorcycles entering the bassetts pole.
The police presence that night was excessive to say the least an what did they do, they certainly didn’t police it as they just looked on as certain bikers rode past trying to ignite the situation.
Why do they want to ban this event instead of actually doing what they are paid to do an police it properly.
I’ve never been to this meet cos I live too far away, but we had exactly the same sort of thing going on down here at Chelsea Bridge. That meet had been going on since the 60′s, and then a new development of yuppie flats was built right by it. They kept complaining to the police about the noise so it was shut down and the burger van that had been there over 40 years was removed. There was hundreds of bikes every friday and saturday night, and some of them weren’t pulling wheelies or making a noise. Not that I have a problem with that in any way, shape, or form.
Anyway, I hope you’re enjoying the police state.
As a tax payer, I’d rather the police were out catching rapists, murderers, and paedophiles. Instead of appeasing people that live on the roads mentioned, where bikes may break the speed limilt or make a noise, which the pub is in no way responsible for, maybe the police should concentrate on those that are the problem, instead of treating everybody as a problem.
We’ve got a lot of money to spend collectively, and if people are driven away, your business suffers.
I agree that there is a small minority of bikers who spoil it and give the responsible road-users a bad name. However, rather than the Police trying to ban the event, it would be far better if they followed the lead of ‘RideSafe BackSafe’ (http://www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk/), which is supported by the Police, the Highways Agency, the IAM and others.
As an IAM Observer, I would much prefer to educate riders rather than punish them. Banning such events will lead to resentment and, as ‘PK’ has already written, the bikers will just find somewhere else to meet.
I live in Calgary, Canada and made a point of going to Bassetts Pole to see this bike event on May 29 2012. I found it a great place to be. You get to meet fellow bikers and talk about your rides. There were a couple who were messing around and they were on quads and doing this on the highway which I thought was silly. This is messing it up for the normal riders and is giving them a bad name.
On the way to Bassetts Pole from the hoyel I was pulling over the best I could to give riders room to slip past. They all waived and thanked me as they went past. Motorcycles always look like they are going at high speed. This is not usually the case. A motorbike can cut through traffic where a car can not and this can make it look fast because the car is doing 35mph and stuck in slow traffic and a motorbike can slip through doing the speed limit. This is what was happening to me.
I think this is a great event and should be encouraged. It is even bringing visitors to the area.
As a biker myself I find it frustrating that yet again bikers are being painted in such a bad light. I appreciate there are some that do cause a nuisance but this is a small minority. I would urge the police to concentrate on these few people that breach traffic laws rather than laying out a blanket ban on this bike meet. To make it illegal to ride in convoy in the area is ridiculous, many bikers ride for the social aspect. Why should we be punished because we opt for 2 wheels?!
If its closed it will just move – you cant stop people meeting up for a chat, thats called freedom to do as one desires.
Thanks Matthew pleased that you are monitoring our problems.As you say the weather hasnt been vey suitable as yet but we will have to wait and see what happens .