Councillors have assured motorcyclists that a new car cruising ban will not affect 'legitimate' activities like charity runs.

Newcastle Borough Council has approved a public space protection order which prohibits groups of two or more motorists gathering and engaging in anti-social activity.

Members of the public protection committee voted to approve the borough-wide PSPO, which covers highways and public land, following a consultation. A clear majority of local residents who responded to the consultation supported the PSPO, but there were also objections from motorcyclists, including some from as far afield as London and York.

They feared the car cruising ban, which covers motorcycles as well as cars, would prevent them from taking part in charity ride outs or simple riding in groups of two or more. But committee members insisted that the PSPO would only be used to crack down on anti-social behaviour, and that law-abiding motorcyclists would have nothing to fear.

Councillor Stephen Sweeney said: "If you're on the Egg Run or the Toy Run or whatever, or you're going to a pub somewhere for a Sunday lunch, this is nothing to do with you – you're just going from A to B with your mates. This is very specific in what it is, and it's also discretionary for the police.

The council approved a borough-wide PSPO following a consultation (LDRS).

"Lyme Valley has a no alcohol policy, but if you have a picnic there with your wife and bring a bottle of wine, the police aren't interest because you're not causing a nuisance – this is about causing a nuisance. So if you're just going out for a ride, good luck to you, it's something I did myself when I was a kid. So I absolutely support this."

Councillor Gill Heesom added: "I think this shows that as a council we do take our residents' concerns seriously. Looking at the concerns of the motorcyclists, it does actually say that this is only for anti-social behaviour or illegal activities. So anybody going about legitimate things, it's not for that at all."

Council leaders proposed the PSPO following continuing issues with car-related anti-social behaviour across the borough. Wolstanton Retail Park was previously a hotspot before barriers were installed in the car park, which resulted in the issue being displaced to other areas.

The PSPO defines car cruising as two or more vehicles, including motorcycles, gathering in a location and the owners engaging in activities such as racing, stunts, driving in convoy, playing loud music or repeatedly sounding horns. Anyone who breaches the PSPO could face a £100 fixed penalty notice or a court fine of up to £1,000.

The order will be enforced by Staffordshire Police and will be in place for three years before being reviewed.

Committee chair Joan Whieldon welcomed the PSPO. She said: "I've been inundated with questions and comments, with people saying this has got to stop. So personally I welcome this, and I think the inclusion of motorbikes is essential, especially for the older people in our borough, because they can be quite scary. I don't think it impacts on the legitimate people who do the Egg Run and things like that.

"I see this as protective of legitimate motorbike riders who are not being a public nuisance. I think that has to be remembered.

"There are authorities that border us who are making similar restrictions, and if we didn't have something that aligned with those we would find that people would vacate those areas and decamp into Newcastle."

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