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Home Sittingbourne News Article
Gangs of teenage cyclists are risking their lives by dodging traffic and running red lights.
That’s according to drivers, who have reported regularly seeing groups of youngsters riding their bikes dangerously in Sittingbourne town centre.
One video, posted on social media, shows two cyclists brazenly ignoring red lights at a busy junction near Morrisons supermarket and the Homebase retail park in Mill Way last week.
The dramatic video of teen cyclists dodging Sittingbourne traffic
It was captured by driver Mark Blackwell on his dashcam.
The pair can be seen weaving in and out of traffic, performing wheelies and one attempts a stunt on his bike only to crash to the ground in front of a line of cars pulling away at the lights.
One witness said: “You see this most days in town now. They need to go to visit a mortuary to see what it is like before they end up in one for real. They are dicing with death.”
Another said: “I often watch them with my heart in my mouth. They won’t learn until someone is killed and then it will be the poor driver’s fault.”
Deb Martin, who lives in the town, said: “This has been going on for ages with whole groups of boys all through Sittingbourne terrorising drivers and deliberately winding them up. This is shocking footage.
“Thankfully he wasn’t seriously hurt. Maybe the humiliation will be enough to stop him from doing it again?”
The problem isn’t exclusive to Sittingbourne either.
A small group of boys has been seen riding the wrong way along Sheerness High Street without hands, performing wheelies in front of cars and riding into shops.
A gang of 70 was reported to be running amok in Maidstone.
And in October last year Chatham, shocking footage of boy bikers doing wheelies into oncoming traffic emerged as they rode in groups through town centres
Video posted on YouTube showed the boys balancing on one leg without holding the handle-bars as they ride the wrong way up a one-way street.
Maidstone police Inspector Mark Hedges said: “We want young people to enjoy riding their bikes while getting some exercise but they must do this in a safe and responsible way that is considerate to other road users and pedestrians.
“I would remind anyone seeking to cycle in this manner that we have recently seized bikes where pedestrians have been put at risk, and in some cases they may be committing a criminal offence. I would urge young people to use purpose-built areas.”
*The maximum fine for dangerous cycling is £2,500 and £1,000 for careless riding - Road Traffic Act 1988.
