A bid to have off-road bikes licensed and registered has been knocked back by the UK Government.

Following concerns about the dangerous use of bikes in Glasgow an MSP and councillors approached the Westminster officials about a crackdown.

The serious incidents included the death of 79 year-old David Gow in Balmore Road, High Possil last year.

Bob Doris, the SNP MSP for Maryhill and Springburn, with the support of Mr Gow’s family, wrote to the UK Government asking for a task force and a requirement for the bikes to be insured and registered.

(Image: Scottish Parliament)

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The reply from Diana Johnson, minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention stated the government would act but not in the way the MSP wanted.

She said: “The Government has no plans to make registration and insurance mandatory for off-road bikes because we do not believe that this would be the most effective way to tackle dangerous and anti-social use.

“During the election campaign, the Home Secretary committed to crack down on this form of anti-social behaviour and deal with the problem that you, and others are experiencing.

“The Government will make it easier for the police to seize and dispose of illegal, dangerous and antisocial bikes off the streets. We will set out more information in due course.”

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Despite the rejection Doris said he will carry on looking for a way to make the streets safer for people.

Doris said: “The UK Government has unfortunately confirmed it does not intend to explore our suggestion to require the registration and insuring of off-road vehicles. There appears also to be no plan for them to convene a task force on the matter.

“This is deeply disappointing and rows back from a commitment made from the previous UK Government.

“That said myself and councillor Gow are undeterred. We believe there is a strong case to be made, not just around vehicle registration, but also for all parts of the UK to learn from each other in tackling the very real dangers associated with the illegal driving of off-road vehicles on our streets.

“More positively the reply does indicate the UK Government agree there are very significant problems right across the UK.”

Doris said he was pleased the Scottish Government said it intends establishing a working group to look at the issues related to the policing and enforcement of off-road vehicles in Scotland.

He said he and the councillor would be seeking a meeting to discuss the issue further on a cross-party, cross-parliament constructive basis.