Don’t be an egg: our dunes are no place for motorbikes

We’ve all heard about storms and rising seas damaging our dunes, but there’s another threat: people.

Council's Environment and Ecological Services Team Leader Andy McKay says people riding offroad motorbikes and quad bikes are a big problem on Kāpiti Coast beaches and dunes.

“Riding motorbikes offroad is a fun activity, and many riders are locals too, but keeping them off the dunes and beaches is a constant problem for Council and Police,” he says.

People who don't love the sport complain about the noise, the smell, the danger, the damage, and the perceived lack of enforcement. Council received 15 complaints about motorbikes on beaches between October 2021 and July 2022.

“It’s frustrating, because our beach bylaw clearly says two-wheeled motorbikes are not allowed on our beaches. End of story.

“We treat other motor vehicles, like four-wheel drives and quad bikes, a bit differently. We know people need to use them to launch boats or get their gear to fishing spots but they must use designated access points and stay in permitted areas. We also have strict rules to keep speeds below 10kph.

“In Kāpiti no vehicles of any kind are allowed in the dunes, except for emergency vehicles,” Andy says.

“There are good reasons for this. Our dune ecosystems are home to many vulnerable species of native birds, plants, lizards, and insects. The Northern New Zealand dotterel, or tūturiwhatu, is one of our most endangered birds. The Department of Conservation (DoC) estimates there are only about 2500 left in the whole country.

“Greater Wellington reports show tūturiwhatu numbers in the region are increasing – from 50 in 2020 to around 250 in 2023. Sadly, we're not seeing these increases on the Kāpiti Coast. In Kāpiti they nest at stream and river mouths, with the Waitohu and Ōtaki estuaries being especially important.”

"Dotterels nest in the sand and their eggs and chicks are also sand-coloured, making them very vulnerable to predators, people, dogs, horses, and motorbikes," he says.

“These birds show amazing behaviour to protect their young. The parent pretends to be injured to draw predators away from the nest. If you see a bird acting like this, it has eggs or chicks nearby so leave it alone and move away,” Andy says.

“Council, DoC, and volunteers rope off any nesting areas we know about, but dotterels might nest in other parts of the dune and beach too. Nesting season starts around September, so they're particularly vulnerable now.

“We’re telling motorbike riders and others: don’t be an egg – keep off the dunes!”

Dunes protect our coast from flooding

The dunes are very important, protecting our land, houses, and public assets from the sea, especially during king tides and storms.

They also help protect our coastline from rising sea levels caused by climate change. 

“Dunes change all the time by eroding and building back up, but human activities like riding offroad motorbikes on them make erosion worse,” says Andy McKay.

“The Kāpiti Coast District is lucky to have volunteer groups who care for our dunes. They plant native plants like kōwhangatara (spinifex), pīngao and wiwi, which help trap sand and rebuild the dunes. Motorbikes and quads destroy these plants and stop the dunes reforming.” 

Driftwood also helps, by sitting at the base of the dunes and acting as a foundation for more sand to build up.

“That’s why the Beach Bylaw says you can only take as much driftwood as you can carry on foot, and you can't move or cut it up with power tools.”

Driftwood and other debris buried under the dunes can also be dangerous for motorbike riders, Andy says.

What you can do about motorbikes on the beach

Council can only enforce rules for parked vehicles on beaches. Moving vehicles are a Police matter. Police say by the time they respond to a complaint, the motorbikes are usually gone. Without a bike, car, or trailer numberplate, there’s nothing they can do.

Both Council and Police advise against taking matters into your own hands. Don’t argue or get into a fight. If you can, take a photo or get a plate number and report it to the Police right away.

If you have friends or family who ride offroad, remind them why the dunes and beaches are not suitable and talk to them about better places to go.

Where motorbikes can go  

Joining a motorbike or dirtbike club is a great place to start. These clubs set up events and trails that don’t cause problems for others. They also teach riding skills and good behaviour to keep everyone safe. Look for a club online or ask at your motorbike repair shop.

Greater Wellington has many roads and old logging tracks through the Akatarawa Forest that are open for quad and trail biking. Riders need a permit, which you can get online.

For more info, check out trail riding in the Akatarawa Forest.

Is the beach a road?

Technically beaches are considered roads under the Land Transport Act 1998. This means Police can control and enforce rules on beaches. 

Councils set speed limits and other rules, including where vehicles can and can't go. Our Beach Bylaw bans motor vehicles on many parts of the beach. This helps keep our coastal environment safe for people and wildlife. We’re also exploring more ways to keep vehicles off restricted areas.

Remember: never drive on the dunes.

Read our Beach Bylaw to learn more about the rules for motor vehicles on beaches.