Some Kaikohe folk have well and truly had enough of children and youths riding their bicycles and motorbikes on the town's main street, showing scant regard for vehicles or their own physical wellbeing. Others, however, defending them has just kids having some harmless fun and do not deserve to be
A hazard - or just having fun?
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Motorcyclists in action in Kaikohe's main street. Photo / Debbie Beadle
Others have taken to social media to air their frustration, one poster pondering whether the issue was about "Bikelife or bikedeath?"
"Something needs to happen before something worse happens," they added.
Another said that a bike track wouldn't solve anything; "They'd still be up town playing chicken with the cars. Hate how they just come out in front of u and expect you to stop for them and then they just slyly grin at u. Every1 complaining about oh they just kids and want to show off their bike skills bla bla... they're doing it because they get a thrill out of every1 noticing them and nearly causing accidents."
A number of people had approached the Far North District Council, one resident said, asking that it enforce the relevant bylaw, and had been told there wasn't one.
Others have made a connection between the worsening situation and the fact that most of Kaikohe's police are now stationed in Kerikeri.
Meanwhile one social media poster had a suggestion for parents: "Teach them bike safety, where they can ride their bikes, but most importantly be involved with them."