A Dangerous Trend: The Terrifying Bicycle Stunts Your Kids Are Trying

Last year, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shared surveillance footage of kids riding bicycles through the Boston Tunnel in peak traffic.  Despite the risky behavior of popping wheelies and riding alongside vehicles during rush hour, the children managed to exit the tunnel without any reported injuries.

While these kids fortunately survived unharmed, there have been several cases in which the children involved were not so lucky.

Teaching your child to ride a bike should be fun, but what happens after that is a major concern, especially as they get older and more independent. In this article, we discuss why risky behavior is on the rise, its negative impact on children, and what parents can do about it.

Bicycle Stunts That Bring Injury and Death

Although the Boston Tunnel kids made it out alive, other bicycle stunts involving children have turned serious and, sometimes, even deadly.

In mid-2013, a Northern Kentucky teen lost his life performing a dangerous bike trick in a parking lot. In a different incident, one of his friends burst an artery in his head while trying a similar stunt.

“Swerving,” another dangerous bicycle stunt fad, is currently causing havoc on the roads and endangering children’s lives in the US and abroad.

Last year, three young people died in two separate incidents involving e-bikes in western England. Tragedies like these are the result of the dangerous trend of teenagers driving recklessly and aggressively through traffic.

Why Kids Do It

Our kids are growing up too fast. While children have always gotten up to mischief, dangerous stunts like these are far more dangerous and much more common than they were in previous generations.

There are a number of reasons why kids are drawn to this sort of behavior:

Peer Pressure

Children may feel pressured to participate in risky behaviors to fit in with their peers or to gain acceptance and approval from their social circle. The phenomenon now referred to as “fear of missing out” (FOMO) can drive kids to engage in dangerous stunts to avoid feeling left out.

Desire for Attention

Studies show that children, especially around age 10, undergo significant brain changes that make them more susceptible to seeking social rewards and approval from peers.

Kids may attempt dangerous stunts to seek attention, recognition, or validation from others, especially in the context of social media where likes, shares, and views are equated with popularity and social status.

Influence of Social Media Challenges

Viral social media challenges and stunts can influence children to imitate what they see online, as they may perceive these activities as exciting, fun, or trendy. The visibility and popularity of such challenges can motivate kids to participate without fully considering the risks involved.

Lack of Risk-Assessment Skills

Children’s developing brains and limited life experiences may result in a lack of fully developed risk-assessment skills. This can lead them to underestimate the potential dangers and consequences of engaging in hazardous activities, making them more susceptible to trying dangerous stunts without fully understanding the risks.

HOW KIDS ARE HARMED

The most immediately apparent consequences of this risky behavior are serious injury and even death. But what about the psychological harm done when children engage in these activities or even when they watch videos of dangerous bike stunts online.

Thrill-Seeking Behavior and Psychological Impact

Participating in or witnessing extreme and dangerous activities can lead to increased impulsivity, mood disorders, and other psychological challenges that affect mental health.

Brain Trauma and Emotional Consequences

Brain injuries sustained as a result of dangerous stunts can have profound emotional consequences on children. Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, such as headaches, memory loss, nausea and difficulty concentrating, can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and depression.

Injury-Related Stress

The fear of sustaining injuries or the aftermath of experiencing traumatic events during dangerous stunts can contribute to heightened stress levels and more serious mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Social Pressure and Performance Expectations

Social pressure to perform ever-more daring stunts can lead to children taking increasingly serious risks. It can also cause considerable emotional distress.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN

You can take the following steps to help your kids avoid being influenced by dangerous bicycle stunt trends:

• Educate yourself and your child
• Encourage positive participation in healthy activities
• Maintain open communication: balance privacy and trust
• Monitor their behavior
• Model responsible behavior
• Create a safe online environment
• Discuss consequences
• Empower critical thinking

Some resources you can use to support your children and educate them about the dangers of stunts include:

• The Common Sense Education Toolkit: This resource provides articles, videos, printable handouts, and conversation starters to help families reflect on their media habits, build digital citizenship skills, and discuss online safety with their children.

• NYSSSWA Resources & Activities for Parents: This site offers various activities and resources for parents, such as guides on forest and outdoor learning experiences, at-home learning activities, and coping with emotional stress from traumatic experiences. These resources can help parents engage with their children and address the risks associated with dangerous behavior.

• State or District Bicycle Safety Programs: Look for local bicycle safety programs that educate your children about the dangers of reckless riding and how to stay safe.

YOUR LEGAL OPTIONS

If your child is injured or killed performing a dangerous bike stunt they saw online, you may have options to seek legal recourse.

Depending on the circumstances, your options may include, among others:

• A civil lawsuit
• Negligence claims
• A wrongful death lawsuit

Seek legal advice from experienced attorneys specializing in personal injury cases involving children.

PARTING THOUGHT: IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOUR CHILD

If you are among the unfortunate parents whose children have already been harmed by this terrifying trend, you should seek out support for your child and yourself immediately. This should include both medical and psychological interventions.

It is better to be safe than sorry. Always be open to the possibility that your child might be at risk of trying a dangerous new trend. This doesn’t mean you should become a helicopter parent, but it does mean you should take care to shield your child from negative influences wherever possible.

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