Creating a "safe site" for off-road bikers would present a number of challenges for Bradford Council, according to a report set to be discussed today.

Councillors were being asked to consider how they could tackle nuisance off-road motorbikes.

As well as police crackdowns and action days, diversionary tactics could help, the report claims, but there are stumbling blocks to a legal site, including planning permission, noise nuisance, community resistance and the cost.

What is more, the nature of off-road vehicles - including mini-motorbikes - means they can not access the site without transport to and from it.

In a report to the Safer and Stronger Communities Improvement Committee, Tommy Hughes, the Council's senior policy officer, says: "In addition there is a specific problem regarding access to any such facilities.

"All off-road vehicles, by their very nature, cannot legally be ridden (or pushed) along the public highway or pavement - the vehicles are unlicensed, untaxed and uninsured.

"It is believed a substantial proportion of individuals involved in illegal and nuisance use of such vehicles have no legal means of transporting their vehicles beyond their own property.

"In some parts of the country, organised off-road facilities have overcome this problem by funding collect and return' services for off-road vehicles to facilitate legal access to such facilities."

Mr Hughes also suggests they consider formalising a dedicated site at Denholme known as The Flappits, bearing in mind the police believe closing it down could impact badly on nuisance motorcycling elsewhere in the district.

Last week the Telegraph & Argus reported how 22-year-old Nigel Hinnells, of Idle, was gathering signatures for a petition urging the Council to allocate a specific area for him and fellow off-roaders to use.

The Council has already set up a Motorcycle Nuisance Group to share information with the police and take part in crackdowns, such as one in Woodhall Quarry a couple of weekends ago.

Mini-motorbikes cannot be ridden legally on streets, paths, or in parks and riders can be prosecuted for having no licence, insurance, MoT and no helmet. Police also have powers to confiscate and destroy bikes. More than 60 were crushed on Windhill estate, Shipley, a year ago as part of a zero-tolerance message.

e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk