High profile campaigners seek action in National Park
A Yorkshire group, BAND (Bilsdale Against Noise and Danger), is campaigning against what it sees as ‘the menace to the North York Moors National Park from speeding bikers and heavy goods vehicles’.

BAND comprises local residents and a number of high profile individuals including actor Brian Blessed, Geoffrey Boycott and Fred Trueman, political figures William Hague and Bernard Ingham, TV personality Alan Titchmarsh, journalist Janet Street-Porter, actress Zoë Wanamaker and a number of MPs and Lords.

BAND is calling for a maximum 50mph speed limit in the Park, more police enforcement activity and the introduction of safety cameras. The campaign has featured in The Independent and on the Radio 2 Jeremy Vine programme.

North Yorkshire Police issued a statement in support of BAND. "We share BAND's view of the minority who tarnish the image of the majority by anti-social behaviour such as stunt riding or using illegally noisy race exhausts.

"These activities belong on the racetrack not on public roads, and we act firmly against those whose activities impinge on the quality of life of other people.
The force's Bike Safe education strategy will continue, but the policing emphasis has shifted towards enforcement," the statement says.

While the British Motorcyclists’ Federation (BMF) does not support talk of bans and ‘unnecessary’ speed limits, it does not deny that there is a problem and has issued a statement in support of North Yorkshire Police's position.