Why has the UK home secretary declared war on miniature motorbikes?
Because it’s summer, the season for silly government initiatives. As another bunch of mini motorbikes met their fate in the jaws of the crusher, UK home secretary John Reid told waiting reporters he was getting tough with the ‘yobs’ who ride these miniaturised two-wheelers. When you run a department beset by organisational paralysis and an absence of purpose, it’s clearly time to launch a crackdown on toys. Mini motos, to give them their popular name, are ‘at best a nuisance, running through to a menace, and at worst very, very dangerous’, says Reid (1). In the press release that accompanied his photo op, he says: ‘I know people are experiencing increasing problems from the menace of misused mini-motos. This must stop. It is not acceptable to ride these vehicles on our streets or parks and the guidance we are giving to police and users is clear – irresponsible use will be punished.’ (2) From now on, police will have the power to seize the bikes and crush them. Drivers of the bikes coul
