Potholes, lack of cautionary signage, not enough light, dug up patches… complaints against our roads are many, most of them justified. Yet, at times, it is drivers themselves who endanger themselves and others through rash, casual or simply dangerous riding and driving. Recently, a young woman suffered after the man she was riding pillion with decided to try a stunt on our roads. A video of the incident, now circulating online, shows the woman appearing relaxed as the motorcycle moves along the road. The man unexpectedly accelerates and attempts a wheelie by lifting the bike’s front wheel off the ground.
This stunt results in the woman struggling to maintain balance. She slips backward on the bike and is trapped in the narrow gap between the seat and the rear tyre of the moving motorcycle.
The rider finally notices something amiss, stops and helps her. She is injured, according to reports that offer no other details. The clip sparked online outrage. Both were also not wearing helmets.
The road is for getting you to a destination. It is not for inane stunts usually done for thrills.
This is no different from those who do stunts inside trains, hanging from bars or swinging outside the doors, and what have you.
The medium is different, the stunt mindset, the stunts attempted or accomplished are the same. It is shocking that individuals mature enough for a license indulge in this dangerous, deadly nonsense, imperilling not only themselves but others.
Slam penalties and slam the brakes on these wheelie whiz kinds who show brain fade with this behaviour.