A MOTOCROSS rider who veered across a road and onto a pavement to avoid traffic - whilst also not wearing a helmet - has been slammed as dangerous and selfish.

The motorcyclist’s erratic riding on Great Horton Road was captured on a driver’s dash-camera. The driver sent the footage to the Telegraph & Argus as part of our Stop The Danger Drivers campaign.

The footage starts with the rider overtaking the driver’s vehicle near to the Monkey pub, heading towards Bradford, before he races off towards the junction with Pickles Lane.

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A build-up of traffic causes the rider - dressed in a light-grey tracksuit - to slow down, before he can be seen riding across the opposite lane near the junction with Bartle Lane, mounting the pavement for a short while, and then veering back across the road to rejoin the carriageway.

Sergeant Cameron Buchan, who is leading the dangerous driver crackdown Operation Steerside, said: “It shows a disregard for the rules. It is about his own safety and the safety of others. He is disregarding the law.

“It is incredibly selfish and potentially very dangerous. A motorcyclist going at 30mph can still cause serious injury.”

He added: “Pedestrians do not expect vehicles on the pavement. They are in blithe ignorance of vehicles being on the pavement.”

Luke Griggs, director of communications at brain injury charity Headway, said: “Riding a motorbike without wearing a helmet is extremely dangerous and incredibly foolish.

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“At Headway, we support people who face daily challenges as a result of brain injuries often sustained as a result of factors beyond their control. It is difficult for these families to comprehend why anyone would willingly put their lives at risk in such a reckless manner.

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“Accidents can happen to anyone at any time, and wearing a helmet could save your life or prevent lifelong disability.”

Action for Brain Injury Week started on Monday and runs until Sunday.

Sgt Buchan added: “You really do need a helmet on because your head is vulnerable. That is why it is required by law. It is all about your safety.”

The driver who captured the footage also caught a dangerous driver on camera on Bolton Road overtaking in the wrong lane and then swerving into a bus lane to undertake other vehicles.

The driver said: “The driving of this car driver is typical of what I experience every day in Bradford and I’m sick of it.”

  • The T&A's Stop the Danger Drivers initiative has been nominated for an award for the country's best regional newspaper campaign. The winner will be decided by public vote between 9.30am on May 16 and 5pm on May 18. Click here to vote for Stop the Danger Drivers.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Danger Drivers (53909379)