East Lothian Police hunt off-road biker after near miss involving pregnant walker and toddler near Pencaitland

Police are on the hunt for a biker who narrowly missed hitting numerous walkers, including an elderly couple and a heavily pregnant woman with her toddler - on a trail in East Lothian.

Officers were alerted to the incident on Wednesday, March 10, after receiving a report of an off-road bike being ridden on the public walkway between Pencaitland and Ormiston.

Police Scotland said enquiries are ongoing to trace the person responsible.

It comes after surge in complaints from the public about off-road motorbikes using public and private land illegally across the region.

The force said it was investigating several incidents in East Lothian, including in areas adjacent to Clark Avenue in the Pinkie area of Musselburgh, land near the former Cockenzie Power Station, as well as on the Pencaitland Railway walk.

Many of the locations are owned by East Lothian Council, which does not allow its land to be used by off-road motorcycles.

Current legislation in Scotland requires riders to have explicit permission from the land owner before riding any motor vehicle on private farm or forestry land.

Police Scotland also warned that, if the public have access to walk or cycle in an area, off-road vehicle users are likely to need motor insurance covering third party risks as outlined in the Road Traffic Act 1988.

In a statement, the force said: “In the coming weeks Police Scotland will undertake a number of days of action in the area.

“Anybody found to be participating in illegal activity will be charged and reported to the Procurator Fiscal along with having their vehicle seized.”

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