Dangerous road racing using modified motorcycles has resurfaced in Kozhikode city amid slack enforcement. Busy stretches near major tourist spots have once again become hotspots for reckless riders flouting road safety norms.
A nearly 10-km stretch between Puthiyappa and Kothi bridge has become a hub for such bike rides. Weekend road shows featuring luxury motorcycles fitted with banned silencers are also on the rise.
“Motorcycle stunt riders show little regard for the safety of fellow motorists, with sudden moves like wheelies, stoppies, and drifting, says trauma care worker Pramod Pallikkal. He points out that action by the Motor Vehicles department (MVD) and police lacks continuity.
There have been several instances of autorickshaw drivers confronting riders over their reckless stunts on the Kozhikode beach. They allege that the enforcement squads’ reluctance to impound such vehicles—and settling for a fine instead—leads to repeated incidents.
“Many of these stunt riders do not even wear helmets. Some come from other districts to perform risky rides on heavily modified sports bikes,” says V.V. Santhosh, an autorickshaw driver from Puthiyapalam. He adds that CCTV cameras installed across the city are rarely monitored to identify such violations.
Meanwhile, Kozhikode City police patrol squads claim to have caught several stunt riders and collected registration details of others as part of road safety measures. Anti-narcotics cell teams have also joined the intensified enforcement drive, they say.
MVD sources confirm that registration details of several such motorcycles have been collected for strict legal action. Faulty surveillance cameras have been replaced with high-quality ones at key locations to monitor erring drivers, they add.
Published – August 08, 2025 12:23 am IST
