A serious crash involving a dirt bike rider and a car in east Auckland is prompting a concerned local couple to speak out about what they say is a growing threat to public safety in the area.
Police closed off part of Middlefield Drive in Dannemora following the crash, which happened at about 4pm on February 1.
A fire truck, police, and St John Ambulance paramedics responded to the incident.
The injured motorcyclist was taken to hospital for medical treatment.
Police initially said the injured rider was in a critical condition but in an update the following day said he was in a stable condition. Enquiries into the crash are ongoing.
The Times has spoken to a couple who live in Dannemora and who say they frequently hear dirt bike riders travelling around the area as well as motorcycles and cars spinning their tyres at nearby intersections.
They wish to remain anonymous to protect their safety.
“It’s quad bikes, dirt bikes, they’re on the footpath, and on the wrong side of the road,” the woman says.
“It was a matter of time before something like this happened and we are very grateful an innocent passerby wasn’t severely injured.
“I believe it’s a very difficult problem to combat because they’re not in same area at the same time [as police].
“We hear them at least weekly. It is a significant problem in the area and it’s definitely getting worse.”
Her husband adds: “It’s a free-for-all. It’s anywhere and everywhere and they’re doing wheelies into oncoming traffic with no helmets.
“It’s a consistent problem and it’s unsafe. We can’t let our kids go out.
“Imagine if children were on the footpath [at the time of the crash].
“It’s an ongoing issue that’s impacting the safety of residents who are law-abiding.
“We purposefully moved to an area with reserves and parks so our kids could walk around and go to the park, but they’re homebound now.
“We don’t let them around [outside]. We just don’t feel safe.”
A group of more than 50 dirt bike riders travelled through east Auckland on New Year’s Eve last year.
Following the incident police said such a situation poses a challenge to deal with due to safety for other road users and the riders themselves.
“It is incredibly frustrating for police and the public, as these riders have absolutely no regard for the safety of others and their behaviour puts lives at risk,” a police spokesperson said.
“It is completely unacceptable. Police also want to see parents and caregivers take responsibility for the actions of these riders, some of whom are youths.
“The last thing we want is to have one of these riders cause a crash and injure or kill a member of the public.”
As the Times has previously reported, Counties Manukau Police charged more than 130 people and impounded almost 100 dirt bikes and vehicles following a 2022 operation targeting illegal street racing activity in areas including east Auckland.
The year-long operation saw 59 dirt bikes and 39 vehicles impounded, with 88 people arrested and charged.
