Police caught a succession of speeding bikers - one even doing a "wheelie" on a busy main road - on the first day of a major clampdown.

Now motorists who endanger the lives of pedestrians and cyclists by flouting speed limits across North Yorkshire over Easter have been warned: you're next.

Twenty-six motorcyclists were pulled up as Operation Leopard got under way on Sunday.

Most were issued fixed penalty notices for speeding or having illegal number plates or noisy illegal exhausts.

But a rider was also caught pulling a "wheelie" on the A19 south of York, and now faces being prosecuted for dangerous driving.

On the same day, the dangers were illustrated when a biker lost control on a bend and hit a tree near Biggin crossroads, near Cawood. He was taken to hospital with a broken leg.

Operation Leopard, which is part of North Yorkshire Police's Bike Safe campaign, is set to continue throughout the summer.

Traffic Sergeant Dave Sutcliffe said the campaign was not only about saving lives; it was also a response to regular complaints from the public about noisy bikes with illegal exhausts.

But the campaign came under fire today from one North Yorkshire motorcyclist, who told the Evening Press he thought police were picking unfairly on bikers.

"I would like to see police doing something about farmers who distribute muck across the road and drivers who use mobile phones as they are driving," said the biker, who did not wish to be identified. "They cause accidents just as much as bikers."

Operation Cheetah, a similar campaign intended to reduce accidents, death and injury by tackling speeding drivers will return to the York, Selby and Tadcaster areas this month.

Sergeant Sutcliffe, who is co-ordinating the campaign, said areas targeted will include Acomb, and Boroughbridge Road and Poppleton Road in west York, Rufforth, Poppleton, Bishopthorpe, Stockton-on-the-Forest, Dunnington and Elvington, and Hambleton, Selby, Whitley Bridge and Eggborough.

April has been chosen specifically to take account of the Easter weekend, when traffic volumes increase significantly, and the fact that there are more children on the roads because of the school holidays.

Sergeant Sutcliffe said: "We will be targeting stretches of road which are known to be accident black spots.

"Anyone exceeding the speed limit can expect to be stopped, and if necessary enforcement action will be taken."

Updated: 10:54 Tuesday, April 03, 2001