A Cardenden‑based off‑road motorcycle charity is launching a new scheme aimed at cutting illegal riding in local towns and at Lochore Meadows.
Kingdom Off Road Motorcycle Club, which runs a purpose‑built off‑road training track, has secured funding to buy a new training bike and subsidise visits for young people from the Cardenden and Lochgelly catchment area.
The aim is to give youngsters a controlled, legal environment to ride and to reduce the appeal of tearing around streets, parks and paths on powerful off‑road and electric bikes.
Coaches say they are hearing growing concern from residents and community groups about children riding electric off‑road motorcycles in built‑up areas, often without helmets or any understanding of the law.
Recent incidents involving electric bikes in Central Fife – including serious injuries suffered by a 94‑year‑old woman after a collision in Lochore – have sharpened focus on the risks when powerful machines are used in the wrong place.
By expanding the number of places available at its track‑based sessions, the charity hopes to channel that interest into supervised riding, where youngsters can learn skills safely instead of risking injury or ending up in trouble.
A spokesperson for the club said: "Our charity’s objective is to make our communities safer by providing a controlled and legal environment to ride off-road motorcycles.”
Staff say they want young people who are tempted by off‑road bikes to feel they have a proper outlet that doesn’t put themselves or others in danger.
They added: "Everyone is buzzing to see our off-road motorcycle facility grow.”
As well as time on the bike, Kingdom Off Road runs school‑based groups four days a week. These sessions cover responsible riding and road‑traffic law alongside wider topics such as health and nutrition, drugs and alcohol, competition and sporting opportunities, basic motorcycle mechanics and employability skills.
The combination of practical riding and classroom work is designed to help young people see motorcycling as a sport with rules and responsibilities, rather than something to do on pavements and paths.
The club plans to work closely with Lochgelly High School, Safer Communities teams, Fife Council and other partners to identify pupils who could benefit most from the new subsidised scheme.
With support available to reduce the cost of sessions, the charity hopes that families who might otherwise struggle will still be able to take part.
Kingdom Off Road’s push to make communities safer has also been boosted by backing from local businesses. Wernick and the Purvis Group have donated three cabins and containers to the charity, extending storage and office space at the Cardenden track.
The extra room is being used for admin, equipment and teaching areas, helping the club to cope with more groups and offer a better experience on and off the bikes.
The improved facilities have already allowed Kingdom Off Road to host a national championship enduro event, with another national race scheduled for Sunday, July 19.
The charity has offered special thanks to James Bennett of Wernick, Paul Gregory of the Purvis Group and Juliet at Fife Council for their role in making the donation happen.
A spokesperson added that no motorcycles are stored in the donated cabins or containers – they are used only for tools, flags, donated boots, kit and track‑maintenance equipment – and the site is covered by CCTV and an alarm system.
Under current rules, privately owned e‑scooters cannot legally be used on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes or in parks, and can only be ridden on private land with the landowner’s permission.
Only electric bikes that meet strict limits – a motor of no more than 250 watts and power that cuts out at 15.5mph – are treated like ordinary bicycles; more powerful machines are classed as motor vehicles and need a licence, insurance and registration, with riders risking fines and seizure if they ignore the law.
Kingdom Off Road believes that investing in supervised, legal off‑road riding now will pay off in fewer complaints and fewer injuries in the years ahead.
With police across the Kingdom stepping up action against illegal off‑road bikes and e‑bikes, the charity hopes its Cardenden track can offer young riders a positive alternative to having their machines seized or ending up in court.
