Motorcycle Charity Steers Youngsters Away From Illegal Off Road Riding, Huddersfield

Wednesday 9 March, 2022

Police have praised bike enthusiasts for their drive to kick illegal motorcycle use out of their community by kickstarting youngsters on a path to safer riding.  

The Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Team is supporting the work of Team KickStart in the Ashbrow Ward, which is approaching its first anniversary after launching last April to provide local teenagers with an outlet for their interest in bikes.

The team now has around 100 teens taking part and supports young people who have an interest in motorcycles.

It teaches them to ride safely and legally and also develop their skills and potentially careers in servicing bikes and mechanical engineering.

 

The project, which is run by locals Joy Edwards and Junior Montano, began on April 18 2021 and has now become a full-fledged charity.  

It provides a safe regular space at the Chestnut Centre for riders to gather and learn safe riding skills from qualified professionals, moving towards getting a CBT riding qualification.

Upcoming events in March include sessions in which young people can learn to strip down and build an engine, and the Deighton Carnival in June.

Joy from Team KickStart, said: “Junior was the founder of Team Kickstart and the hard work he puts in on a daily basis and his passion for the community is outstanding.  He really deserves so much credit for the way we’ve grown over the last 12 months.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the reaction we’ve had from local residents and the teenagers who have joined us since we started and are attending the sessions.  They are really enjoying themselves safely and getting the opportunity to learn.

She added: “I also want to give a huge shout out to our volunteers and the friends we’ve made on our journey, as well as the local partnerships who have supported us.
“Looking forwards we are in talks to find a new plot of land we can utilize for activities and are reaching out to more schools.
“We have lots of events planned including an anti-knife crime event on the 30th April at the piazza in Huddersfield  and are starting the procession for the Deighton carnival on the 25th June.  
“Full details of everything upcoming can be found on our Facebook page.”

Inspector Graham Dyson of the Huddersfield NPT, said: “Having attended the first event in April last year I was extremely impressed with how Joy and Junior brought the community together and then continued to push forward with their vision of removing off road bikes from the streets and providing young people with skills that they can develop and use in future careers.
“This is the real essence of a community where people like Joy and Junior make that initial difference and are determined to make their community safe and feel safer for everyone.
“I am so grateful for their community work and I know that we have a fantastic partnership where we can help young people, divert them away from crime, gangs and violence and bring them together to develop their own skills.”

The Inspector said the NPT also supported the charities focus on reducing violence and knife carrying amongst young people which they were supporting with their motto “Knives Down – Bikes Out” “No Ends Just Friends”

“They support Team KickStart have provided in using their influence with young people to organise anti-knife events including and event in St Georges Square, has been fantastic,” he said.  “Community support is absolutely vital in helping the police and partners change attitudes when it comes to knife carrying.
Councillor James Holmewood (Ashbrow Ward) added, “Team Kickstart have been a breath of fresh air since they have started working in the Ashbrow ward. They’ve worked constructively to engage young people on the dangers of riding motor bikes illegally and the disruption it causes to residents.
“At the same time they are looking at creative ways to provide a bike track for you people to use and supporting vulnerable young people into training and employment. They have made a massive difference in such shore space to time and I’m excited to see what they do next.”

For more information on Team Kickstart see them on Facebook 
 

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