A POPULAR ride out for Harley-Davidson fans has been cancelled.

Shipley Harley Rally organisers have decided to put the brakes on the charity ride because of red tape.

The annual event usually sees hundreds of bikers take their motorbikes around the roads of Baildon and attracts huge crowds.

Although the ride out will not go ahead, a rally held on the same weekend for the bikers who often take part in the event, including a Poker Run and Custom Bike Show, will still go ahead as planned.

In a statement released by the Wrecking Crew Harley-Davidson Club, they said the event, which was due to take place on Sunday, August 26, was “no longer viable”.

“After several years of having to overcome various obstacles, unfortunately the event is no longer viable.

“Health and safety regulations for the road closures and other legislation has made it impossible for the organisers to continue with the ride out.

“We know that this will come as a great disappointment to both riders who take part and also the hundreds of spectators that come along to see the sight of the Harleys leaving Baildon village.

“Of course, the Shipley Harley Rally will continue as usual at the Baildon Rugby and Cricket Club site on Jenny Lane.

“This is, as always, for Harley riders/bikers who have paid to attend the rally and is not open to the general public.

“Members of the public are welcome into the Bike Show from 1pm to 5pm, entry is £3.

A Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “The Shipley Harley Rally is a great event which has been taking place for years. It sounds like most of the activities around that weekend are still happening, and will be enjoyed by many. It’s the ride out that the organisers have decided to cancel which is obviously disappointing.

“Naturally the ride out, being an event which draws an increasingly large crowd to Baildon along an already busy highway, needs safety measures like crowd control, marshalling and road closures, where appropriate. We can quite understand why the organisers who work entirely in a voluntary capacity, would not want to take this level of responsibility on.

“We heard about the cancellation like everyone else when the organisers put the news on Facebook at the weekend. We are contacting the organisers to see what support we can offer. However it would be good if in readiness for next year businesses, residents and councillors can all get together to give the volunteers the help they need to bring the ride out back in town and we are happy to facilitate this.”