MOTORCYCLE industry bosses today slammed a North Yorkshire road safety campaign which they claim is "demonising" riders.

The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCI) labelled complaints by residents about the dangers posed by speeding bikers as "bikeism".

The association said campaigning by pressure group Bilsdale Against Noise and Danger (BAND), which seeks to highlight problems on the North York Moors, has created a distorted picture of motorcycling.

BAND recently attracted national media attention with an open letter, signed by a number of TV stars and sporting heroes, that called for action to curb speeding bikers.

But Craig Carey Clinch, of the MCI, said: 'Sensationalism and anti-motorcycle campaigning is doing nothing but painting all motorcyclists as hooligans, when we are in reality only facing problems from a comparative few irresponsible idiots whose antics will be ultimately be controlled by police enforcement if education fails.

"We don't need new laws, neither do we need biker demonisation by the media.

"This type of negativity - or 'Bikeism' - will only lead to a continuation of the current problems, with the benefits of motorcycling for both leisure and commuting continuing to be under developed."

Residents in Bilsdale, near Helmsley, joined forces to stop nuisance riders who use the B1257, a popular route dubbed the "Helmsley TT" by some bikers.

Kilmeny Fane-Saunders, BAND vice- chairwoman, denied the campaign was aimed against bikers, but said it targeted the "lethal idiots" who turn country roads into death traps.

She said: "Unfortunately, the North York Moors have become a magnet

for this minority, who travel to the area, often from great distances, with the

specific intention of breaking the law."

She said: "The MIC may be uncomfortable with the description of 'blood on the roads', but on the B1257 this is grimly accurate phrase.

"We accept that the MIC is committed to safe biking practice, and we are happy to work with them. We also accept that irresponsible bikers are the exception

rather than the rule."

Earlier this year North Yorkshire Police announced a crackdown on speeding in an attempt to cut the terrible toll of deaths and serious injuries.

Last week the Evening Press reported how motorists caught travelling more than 30mph above the limit were being fast tracked through the courts.

One 29-year-old biker from Leeds has already been banned for eight weeks after he was recorded travelling at 103mph on the A65 near Settle.

Updated: 11:03 Tuesday, May 25, 2004