An experienced biker whose son was killed riding a child’s motorcycle on football fields has spoken out against off-road biking.
Martin Hoyle, 35, was riding a mini 80cc Yamaha motocross bike on a field at Hemsworth Miners Welfare FC in Fitzwilliam near Pontefract when he crashed in to a metal railing just after 4.30pm on Saturday.
His devastated father Keith, 60, of Ackworth, said the bike belonged to a friend of his son’s from Fitzwilliam and his son had taken it for a ride after helping fit a new clutch.
Keith Hoyle said: “He loved motorbikes. He loved tinkering with things and obviously that took his life. Even though he was 35 he was still like a kid.”
Mr Hoyle, a motorbike rider with more than 30 years experience, added: “You can only tell them so much. When he went out of the house he did what he wanted to do.
“Nothing should be ridden off road. If they are off-road they should be on a proper track and on a proper trials bike. There are too many hazards with off-road biking when its not on a proper track.
“They are easy to get these bikes, but they have nowhere to ride them.”
Mr Hoyle said his son must have been travelling “pretty quick” when the accident happened, adding: “There was a gap (in the railing) further down. Coming back, for some reason, he didn’t go through the gap. The sun might have been in his eyes. He might have been looking down at something, we don’t know.
“From what I have head the bike went underneath the fence and it (the railing) hit him in the stomach. It did a lot of damage.”
Mr Hoyle said: “He was well known for helping old folk with their gardens, He was a very kind-hearted person. It’s unbelievable the amount of support we are getting from people in Ackworth.”
A police spokeswoman said: “Officers want to speak to anyone who saw the motorcycle being ridden before or at the time of the collision.”
Contact the Major Collision Enquiry Team on 101.