We took one of our regular walks with our dog a few days ago through the Foresta 2000 Natura site on tracks below the Red Tower in Mellieħa. We often take this walk and usually meet other walkers enjoying the beautiful scenery or people walking their dogs.

Quite early into our walk, we heard the noise of off-road motorbikes and hoped that they weren’t intending to come along this track. There are notices both ends of the walk stating, among other things, that off-roading is forbidden.

We managed to reach almost the end of the top track when we came across three young people on their bikes. They had come through the gap by the gate and were on the track ready to ride along it.

My wife had her camera and as she approached the bikers they gave the “thumbs up” and she took their photos.

I walked up to the front chap and told him that the signs forbade off-roading and he arrogantly said: “It’s our country so we can do what we like!” Then they rode off.

During our walk we had passed two ladies deep in conversation and we later wondered whether they had realised the riders were coming up behind them.

We don’t dispute that Malta belongs to the Maltese. We have enjoyed three years living here and we pay our taxes to our adopted country, but it is a shame that some young Maltese people have this attitude. It is also dangerous, not only to unsuspecting adults but also to their children and their dogs.