LUNATIC bikers who flout speed limits and ride antisocially are often "lifestyle" criminals who take little notice of the law, according to one of North Yorkshire's most senior police officers.

Assistant Chief Constable David Collins said a "get tough" drive to crack down on law-breaking motorcyclists would also spotlight petty law-breakers.

He said the same people who illegally modify their machines and perform outrageous manoeuvres may well deserve police attention for other reasons.

"It's a lifestyle. These are the same people who drive cars and park on double yellow lines or in disabled bays. We have got them in our sights," he said.

"My message to the vast majority of law-abiding bikers is do us a favour and tell us who these people are. Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and help us do our job."

North Yorkshire Police has announced a renewed drive to crack down on dangerous bikers as the motorcycling season begins in earnest.

Last year 28 motorcyclists and pillion passengers were killed and 180 seriously injured on the county's 6,000 miles of roads even though motorbikes only make up two per cent of road users.

Leading members of the motorcycle community have backed the police call, but have warned of the danger of alienating motorcyclists through over-zealous enforcement.

They want to see all road users who ignore speed limits, use mobile phones and drive carelessly in built-up areas punished by the police.

John Clark, who runs York Rider Training Scheme, said motorcyclists were extremely vulnerable on the roads and drivers of larger vehicles share the responsibility to drive safely.

Mr Collins said the bikers he has spoken to want the police to "do their job" and catch the small number of law-breakers who give bikers a bad name in rural communities.

He said: "We want to identify the small number of people who use the county's popular rural roads as a race track. The reasonable, professional road bikers are absolutely opposed to that kind of behaviour."

"It's not about demonising motorcyclists. What I am trying to do is eradicate poor driving habits and that includes car drivers."

Last year, one-in-three road deaths in the county and one in four serious injury accidents involved motorcyclists. National figures show motorcyclists constitute just three per cent of road users, but account for a quarter of all deaths.

Updated: 10:52 Tuesday, April 06, 2004