AN off-road bike has been seized by police after the rider was found to have no insurance.

Officers from North Yorkshire's rural taskforce noticed an off-road Honda motorcycle being ridden in Settle at around 7am yesterday morning, May 31.

A spokesman for the police said: "The bike was stopped and officers reported the rider, a 27-year-old local man, for driving without insurance and otherwise than in accordance with licence conditions.

"The bike, a Honda CRF450, was seized for having no insurance.

"Officers today warned that, while many people in North Yorkshire ride off-road bikes safely and responsibly, their misuse can be dangerous - and illegal.

"If you drive your trial bike, mini-moto, quad bike or similar off-road vehicle on the road it must have the following: A valid MOT certificate if more than three years old. Full car licence or a category B1 licence if it was issued before January 1997. A minimum of third-party insurance to drive on the road and registered with the DVLA, taxed, with (for quad bikes) front and rear number plates."

For more information about off-road motorcycling, including how to find legal off-road routes, how to register your bike, and how to prevent anti-social behaviour, visit https://northyorkshire.police.uk/staying-safe/road-safety/off-road-motor-cycling/