Social media is encouraging unsafe road habits for young motorcyclists
• March 25, 2026
A video of a motorcyclist doing a wheelie on a public road. Photo: James Holton
Social media is influencing young motorcyclists' unsafe and irresponsible behaviours, normalising high-speed stunts and risky manoeuvres.
Twenty-year-old motorcyclist Leo Grant says, “The vast majority of motorcycle content I see on social media features dangerous riding on public roads.”
In 2024, motorcyclists made up 20 per cent of deaths on New Zealand roads despite only making up around 4 per cent of road users, according to the Ministry of Transport.
Grant says much content is clearly targeted towards younger viewers and many young riders idolise the behaviour.
He says motorcycles are treated as a hobby, increasing risk-taking behaviours.
“People spend the money to get into the hobby, and want to get their money's worth. Driving fast is entertaining to young people.”
Grant says that social media is increasing peer pressure that already existed.
“It’s very easy for young riders to be influenced by their peers into riding dangerously. The stunt driving and fast manoeuvres on social media are just making the issue worse.”
A US study showed how social influences and shared norms build a group identity, which can significantly influence how motorcyclists behave on the road.
Joseph Banyamin, a motorcycle course provider for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency ,says: “There can be no doubt that dangerous riding is being promoted on social media to our younger riders,”
Banyamin says people show off high-risk behaviours online to make money, show off, gather an online following and to be “better” than everybody else.
He says the motorcycle community is hugely influential for young riders.
“You are who you surround yourself with, the friends they ride with, or even someone unknown to them – it may simply be what they might view on their phone.”
Banyamin says a lack of riding skills contributes to the rise in high-risk behaviours.
“It is easy for anyone to twist the throttle and go fast on a motorcycle, but not everyone can actually control the motorcycle.”
According to Banyamin, motorcyclists often aren’t serious about wearing appropriate gear, getting professional training and driving defensively until after they have suffered a life-threatening accident.
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