DIRT bike riders have been causing havoc for villagers in Oakley.
Locals say it's been going on since May last year, and those responsible have even created a race track off the cycle path between Dunfermline and Alloa.
They've complained about noise pollution for hours on end and are worried that someone will get hurt.
A source told the Press: “Along with my neighbours, I am exposed to horrendous noise pollution from the dirt bikes.
"At weekends, they can be heard all day. On Saturday, for example, they started around 12.30pm and did not stop until well after nine at night, only to start again on Sunday and Monday. I suspect they will be back tonight.
“At times, I turn up the radio or TV to drown out the constant noise. We have also become very worried about potential repercussions on anybody raising concerns about this.
"The recent attack on a 72-year-old Oakley man highlights just how out of control the situation is and how dependent we, the local community, are on the authorities and the field's owner addressing the issue urgently.
“The cycle path is no longer a safe resource for walkers, cyclists or horse riders and people driving along Sunnyside Road (a 60mph road) can be faced with dirt bikes literally flying towards them from part of the track.”
As previously reported in the Press, a 72-year-old man was spat on, kicked, and hit with a stick by teenagers thought to be as young as 13-years-old on the cycle path near Oakley.
Police issued an appeal for information.
We continue to receive daily calls regarding off road bikes being used on the #Oakley cycle path and in and around Valleyfield woods, to the alarm of members of the public. Extra patrols will continue in these areas and riders risk being charged and their bike seized by police. pic.twitter.com/wK0FIyHvwc
— Police Scotland South West Fife (@PSOSSWFife) May 12, 2024
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The source added: “Ideally, I would like the dirt bike riders to recognise that their behaviour is unacceptable and the negative impact they are having on the local community.
"Sadly, that is unlikely to happen. We therefore need urgent action from Fife Council and Police Scotland.”
Residents continue to contact the police every time they hear or see the bikes.
Another local resident said: “It’s deafening. It’s so loud, the longest we have had it for is 12 hours.
“It’s ear shatteringly loud.”
They added that they feel “intimidated”, “threatened” and “scared”.
“We feel absolutely frustrated, helpless.
“I just don’t know what else has to happen here. I think very few people are going to speak up.”
As previously reported in the Press, there are also plans for glamping pods adjacent to the field where the dirt bike riders are congregating.
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Fife Council's safer communities manager Patricia Spacey said: "We're making sure that officers patrol this area of concern and hope that it assists with gathering information for the police.
"Residents should continue to contact the Police on 101, or via Crimestoppers, if they witness illegal off-road motorcycling with accurate descriptions of riders and bikes, where possible, to help identify those responsible."
A Police Scotland spokesperson commented: “We continue to receive daily calls regarding off road bikes being used on the Oakley cycle path and in and around Valleyfield woods, to the alarm of members of the public.
"Extra patrols will continue in these areas and riders risk being charged and their bike seized by police.”
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