Sumner to have wet-bikes on trial

Press, 5 February 1986, Page 9

Sumner to have wet-bikes on trial

Sumner will get wetbikes after -all, for a three-morith trial.

Wet-bikes Are motorcycles on skis, with protective housing over their motors. They are ridden on water.

Permission Initially was given for a trial, during the summer but withdrawn at the Christchurch City Council’s December meeting because of residents’ objections to the bikes.

Noise, danger to other water users and vibration were given as the main objections. The council called for a further report. On Saturday, some councillors attended a wet-bike demonstration, and reported to a meeting of the council’s parks and recreation committee yesterday that the bike was “quite quiet.” Cr John Burn said the

bikes would provide no noise nuisance. Safety : of other water users would not be a problem because novices could use the bikes only in calm water.

If the surf was up, and surfers about, the bikes would not be out on the water Cr David Close said the bike made little more noise than “a very small outboard.”

He spoke in support of a trial period and moved that comment be sought from residents at the end of that time. The committee approved the use of three bikes between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. The council could withdraw that approval at any time, Cr Burn said. An individual waterbike using the area was causing a nuisance to residents, Cr Mollie Clark

said. It was essential that the- council -keep a close Watch -' on noise levels. While the one bike de- -* monstrated to councillors was quiet enough, three together might not be. ,

Alternative sites for the bikes were investigated by council staff but the committee opted for the original area near the Sumner Boating Club’s ramp. Conditions for the trial include designations of an access lane for the bikes and the lifting of inshore speed restrictions. The council had received 10 objections to the proposal from residents and residents’ associations.

A second applicant wants to use wet-bikes at Sumner. That application, from a Queenstown firm, has been deferred by the council until the trial period is over.