Motorbikes, scooters and remote control cars are tearing up Dunedin’s main BMX track and the frustrated president of the city’s BMX club has had enough.
They found vehicle tracks across the track, with significant wheel marks left on a number of jumps and straights.
It appeared a motorbike was the culprit, as the tread on the tyres had eaten away at the track surface.
Dunedin BMX Club president Greg Shaw said it was frustrating as similar incidents were a "reasonably regular occurrence" .
"It’s a little disappointing that people come on and do that. There’s a lot of hard work that goes in from a lot of people. [They] put time in here to get the track looking great and running fast for the kids and the adults that ride as well."
Similar damage occurred "half a dozen" times per BMX season and was often caused by scooters, motorbikes and remote control cars on the track.
"We’re not talking massive amounts of damage, but enough to sort of affect the surface."
Damage was fixed by members of the club, costing time and money to people who were all volunteers.
"It can take five minutes. It could take several hours.
"It depends on the damage and how many people are available to come down and sort it out."
If the track was dry, damage would be minimal and simple to fix, but damp conditions at the weekend meant it was more significant, he said.
"[It] can sort of disrupt the flow and potentially it might damage jumps and loops on jumps."
The track was accessible to anyone, which was good when people respected it, otherwise not so much, he said.
He had a simple message to those who did come with motorbikes and other non-permitted vehicles.
"We just would like them to not do it."
Former club president Andy Davis said damage at the track had been a problem for years.
