Police ‘stealth’ warnings prompt controversy

Signs put up by the police to warn motorcyclists of a crackdown on speeding are proving controversial.

The signs, erected in 55 locations across Lincolnshire were put up, say the county’s Road Safety Partnership, in response to numerous complaints about vehicles being ridden through built-up areas at excessive speed.

But at the same time, the partnership, which is made up of police, the county council and other emergency services to reduce road accidents, will also be deploying overt and covert operations to catch dangerous riders, prompting one rider, who preferred not to be named, labelling the plan “discriminatory”.

The scheme has seen 55 signs put up on known biker routes to deter people from going above the speed limit.

John Siddle from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership said: “We have had a spate of reports that people have been doing wheelies, but this will not be tolerated on our roads. We have also received complaints about motorbikes driving at 80, 90 or even 100 miles per hour in built up areas.

“Those who are doing stunts or driving wildly above the speed limit think they can do so without impunity, but we are deploying overt and covert operations to capture these people.”

But one biker, who wished not to be named, said he spotted one of what he called the “stealth”’ signs on the A631, and added: “I saw the sign and could not help but feel extremely discriminated against as a motorcycle user.”