Car insurance news
Police fear that after Christmas there will be many mini-motos, the small motorbikes that are set to be big sellers in the shops this December, being ridden illegally.
Although the bikes are designed to be use off-road on private land, many people are using them on roads, pavements and in parks. Just as when driving a car, insurance, tax, an MOT, and a license are needed to stay legal when using a mini-moto on public land.
It is thought that many parents may not realise this when they choose to buy a mini-moto for their child, and may unwittingly be allowing their child to break motoring laws.
Police are urging people to get all the documents to make their mini-motos legal if they want to ride on public land. However, they say the best option is to ride on private land only, as it is very difficult to get insurance and MOT on many of the models.
Some of the miniature motorbikes can go almost as fast as a car - up to 60mph - and as a result 5 people have been killed in 2005 from their use. Police forces across the country say that they have been dealing with a rising number of incidents involving mini-motos being used inappropriately.