Video of joyride cycling in JB goes viral in wake of deadly accident which killed 8 teens

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PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Since the horrific accident last Saturday (Feb 18) which saw eight teenage cyclists killed and eight others injured, video clips have started emerging of these so-called "joyriding" groups.

The sight of groups of cycling teenagers hogging Jalan Lingkaran Dalam in Johor Baru is common in the wee hours of the morning, especially during the weekends.

Sometimes these "convoys" number in the hundreds and occupy all lanes of the road, making it tough for vehicles to pass through.

A three-minute video, first posted by China Press on its Facebook page, has been widely shared on social media and messaging apps, and shows just how dangerous this past-time can be.

The driver is on Jalan Lingkaran Dalam heading towards Jalan Skudai. Just after passing a petrol station on the left, the driver encounters a sudden congregation of cyclists on all three lanes of the road.

The dashcam video shows some of them riding downhill in the middle of the steep road, and straddling across lanes with no apparent regard for their own safety, especially when they take the left turnoff heading towards Dataran Bandaraya.

It does look as if these cyclists are racing against one another downhill while attempting the "superman" manoeuvre, commonly performed by Mat Rempit, or illegal motorcycle racers.

There are also cyclists waiting on both sides of the badly-lit road, including on the fast lane itself.

Only some of these bicycles have blinkers or safety features of any kind.

The car driver is forced to slow down for these bicycles, picking up speed after passing them by.

Meanwhile another motorist, who wanted to be known only as Azman, said that he once almost collided into a group of such cyclists.

He managed to brake in time, but the cyclists then goaded him and some even showed him the middle finger, he claimed.

"This accident (last Saturday) was bound to happen. I have even encountered times when they cycle against traffic.

"I can only hope this accident is a wake-up call," said Azman.

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