Bristol biker: I've been told to carry 300kg bike to my garden

A Brislington mechanic says police have told him he must carry his 300kg motorbike over eight feet of pavement into his garden to avoid prosecution.

Avon and Somerset police have denied they made the claim, but Nick Morris, 42, of Hungerford Road, says he will make a formal complaint about the force.

Mr Morris says he has been persecuted since police learned he pushes his Suzuki SV1000 across the pavement and onto his property.

He does it because he says the bike is at risk of being damaged or stolen if he parks on the road.

Bristol City Council have confirmed Mr Morris has every right to push his bike across the pavement and onto his property providing he does not drive it.

But Mr Morris claims Inspector Colin Salmon, of Avon and Somerset police, told him he must leave the bike on the road unless he arranges for the bike to be carried to his garden.

Mr Morris said: "I had made complaints to police about people parking on the pavement in front of my garden gate stopping me bringing the bike in but they never turned up.

"Inspector Colin Salmon decided that I would not be able to get my motorcycle in and out.

"Anybody with half a brain will know if you leave a motorbike on the road it is only a matter of time before it goes missing. I also don't like it being out there because cars have been vandalised.

"As far as I am concerned there is absolutely no danger to anybody when I push my bike over the pavement.

"I feel like I am being persecuted. I think the police just felt I was a bit of a pest and took it out on me the only way they could.

"I have been told I can lift it from the road to my garden but this bike weighs 200 kg.

"There is also 16 litres of fuel, three and a half litres of water coolant and three and a half litres of oil.

"So all in all it is probably nearer 300 kg – that is not something that you can carry.

"I also read that police can gather witness statements to make sure I am lifting into my garden rather than pushing it and was told they have the power to seize my motorcycle.

"I don't have a license to drive a car so they would be taking away my transport which would make it virtually impossible to do my job."

Mr Morris has complained to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset police said: "If Mr Morris wants to push his bike up the kerb and across the pavement into his property, we have no issues with that. Mr Morris has not been persecuted and as a force we are committed to treating everyone professionally and equally."