Rejected petition Create a managed offroad riding zone on Aberavon dunes with education and clear rules.
There are no local legal riding spaces for miles, leaving young people isolated and criminalised for pursuing a passion. A designated managed zone at Aberavon dunes would reduce nuisance riding, protect nature, improve safety, and offer education on responsible use. This approach balances community wellbeing with positive opportunities for riders who lack transport to distant facilities.
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Aberavon dunes provide a vast, quiet space away from homes that could offer young people a safe place to ride offroad motorbikes—a passion that offers much more than fun. Many local youths lack transport to distant legal tracks, leading to illegal riding, fines, and bike seizures.
Offroad riding promotes physical health by encouraging exercise, improving fitness, and reducing risks of obesity. It also benefits mental health by lowering stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, while building resilience and confidence.
Beyond health, riding creates community, teaches discipline, respect, and responsibility—qualities vital for young people today. A managed riding area with rules to protect the environment, and education programmes on safety, would balance public wellbeing with preserving the dunes.
We ask the council and Welsh Government to work with the community to create a legal, managed space that supports youth health, reduces antisocial behaviour, and offers hope and purpose.
Why was this petition rejected?
It’s about something that the Senedd or Welsh Government is not responsible for.
Given that the land is owned by the council, this would be a matter for them. NPT have their own petitions process: https://democracy.npt.gov.uk/mgEPetitionListDisplay.aspx?bcr=1
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards
Rejected petitions are published in the language in which they were submitted