Scrambler Bikes Threaten Wildlife & Community

Belfast Hills Partnership, Colin Neighbourhood Partnership and National Trust are joining forces to raise awareness around the dangers of illegal scrambler use in the Belfast Hills and wider West Belfast and Colin areas.

A number of recent headlines have brought the issue of dangerous and illegal scrambler use to the fore. Local communities have been alarmed by recent incidents at both street level and in public recreation sites. Despite ongoing efforts by these three and other organisations to tackle the issue at different levels, illegal scrambler use remains a serious risk to people’s physical wellbeing.

Environmental Damage

Local conservationists are urging the public to be mindful of the environmental impacts of scrambler use. While these open spaces may look uninhabited they are home to a number of incredible and important species. In particular, the arrival of spring marks the beginning of the breeding season for ground-nesting birds, whose habitats are at risk from disturbance.

Melina Quinn, Nature Conservation Adviser at the National Trust, explains:

“With increasing daylight and warming temperatures, our local upland birds are currently pairing up and building nests. The most iconic breeding birds found on Divis and the Black Mountain are meadow pipits and skylarks, and we will soon start to hear them singing their hearts out! They choose to set up home here as there is an abundant food source; they hunt out insects, seeds, and plant leaves. In addition to food, they also need shelter and security. These birds build their nests on the ground, so disturbance can cause serious stress, lead to failed attempts to breed, and damage nests.” 

Scramblers and other motorized vehicles are not only a risk to ground-nesting birds. They also cause long-term damage to the environment, eroding paths and disturbing local communities. Responsible enjoyment of the hills will help protect this unique landscape and its wildlife for future generations.

Agricultural Impacts

Additionally, there are areas of the Belfast Hills that remain active farmland. Farmers rely on this land for their livelihood and often have grazing livestock on site. Illegal scrambling can cause damage to both field and livestock. The cutting of fences can result in livestock getting onto public roads. This is not only dangerous for the animals, but can result in serious road traffic accidents.

Belfast Hills Partnership wish to highlight the impact that illegal scrambling has on the local agricultural community.

Unfortunately, I’m sure we’re all familiar with the sight of a field that has been ripped up by tyres. This is not just unsightly but can also be devastating for farmers who rely on a healthy pasture to feed their livestock.  Dangerous driving is also a direct threat to the livestock themselves who can suffer fatal injuries or go into a state of shock which can result in pregnancy loss. The loss of an animal incurs both a devastating and financial loss to farmers who are simply trying to make a living.

-Dr Lizzy Pinkerton, Belfast Hills Partnership Manager

The Belfast Hills are a great natural resource and a lot of good work is going on to open them up to the public and create walkways and nature areas for everyone to enjoy. Unfortunately, dangerous driving of vehicles such as scramblers, and indeed the criminal damage involved in breaking open gates and fences, does nothing to add to this work.

What Can Be Done?

Colin Neighbourhood Partnership spend much time working with local communities in the Colin area to raise awareness around scrambler use and the potential dangers it poses. They would like to urge parents considering acquiring a scrambler for their child to spend time researching where and how you can bike safely and legally. They also recommend reading about the dangers of scramblers and the frequent accidents that occur because of their illegal use. Consider whether putting your child in the seat of a scrambler allows them to put themselves in danger.

We are working with the PSNI to clamp down on illegal scrambler use; the PSNI team in West Belfast seized 42 scramblers and quads in 2024. Entering both farmland and public access sites in the Belfast Hills on scramblers is illegal. We are asking people to not end up being a statistic.  

Despite the dangers of illegal scrambler use, there are indeed safe and legal ways that these vehicles can be enjoyed. There are designated motocross tracks and legal riding areas right across Northern Ireland for motoring enthusiasts. This helps young people to understand the proper and legal use of vehicles and keeps them off public spaces such as streets, parks, and rural areas. 

By working together we can ensure a safer community for everyone.