Reckless motorcyclist had young child on front of bike as he raced through Saughton Park

AN investigation has been launched into antisocial motorcycle activity in Saughton Park on Friday afternoon.

Around 3.30pm a masked motorcyclist on an off-road bike, who was not wearing a helmet, entered the park from the west side and rode at speed across the grass.

A number of dog walkers and parents with young children were walking on nearby paths and a few were visibly upset.

The motorcyclist then rode into the skateboard park which was full of youngsters and one got on the back of the bike which then returned to the grass area travelling at speed.

The youngster was dropped off and the bike left the park via the library exit but returned later with another young boy on the front whose age was estimated at seven or eight.

With the youngster on the front, the bike rider did a number of wheelies and rode at speeds estimated at 50mph.

A pedestrian who was in the park and requested not to be identified told The Edinburgh Reporter. “The behaviour of the motorcyclist was reckless, dangerous. His irresponsible behaviour could easily have resulted in the death of a child. He was riding at high speed with children on the bike and doing wheelies.

“If the bike had hit a pothole then it could have been a tragedy. The bike was green coloured with a number 43 on it. Clearly people in the park knew his identity and I would urge anyone who knows who he is to contact police before someone is killed.

“He was wearing a face mask on the lower half of his face but looked late teens early 20s.

“I called 999 three times to provide updates but had to leave before the police arrived.

“I later saw the same bike doing wheelies along Gorgie Road heading toward Dalry.

“It’s only a matter of time before someone is killed.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On the afternoon of Friday, 19 August, 2022, police received a report of antisocial motorcycle activity in the Saughton Park area of Edinburgh. Further enquiries into the report will be carried out.

“Police in Edinburgh are committed to identifying and targeting those individuals involved in motorcycle antisocial behaviour and thefts, as part of Operation Soteria.”