Bengaluru: Karnataka is witnessing a sharp rise in dangerous bike stunts, particularly wheelies, posing a growing threat to public safety. Official data reveals a troubling surge in cases, with numbers more than doubling from 2023 to 2024 and projected to climb further in 2025. There have also been fatal accidents involving youngsters performing stunts.As per police statistics, the number of wheelie cases across the state rose from 341 in 2023 to 775 in 2024. The first four months of this year saw 321 cases, indicating that 2025 could end with over 900 cases overall.Wheelie cases from Bengaluru comprise 75% of the total cases in Karnataka. Of the 1,437 cases registered between 2023 and April 2025, as many as 1,057 were reported from Bengaluru. The IT city is followed by Mysuru, Tumakuru, and Ramanagara when it comes to wheelie cases.The high court had recently called for stronger laws to tackle wheeling, urging the state to introduce specific provisions to protect public safety and curb reckless behaviour of motorcyclists. ADGP (traffic and road safety) R Hitendra said the authorities would adopt different strategies to catch individuals performing stunts. “We have to use local intelligence inputs to gather information on the areas, roads, and vicinities where such stunts are performed. Secondly, we’ll use social media to identify them as there will be many videos and pictures of such dangerous adventuring,” he said, adding, “We’ll also book cases against garage owners and their workers who modify motorbikes for use in wheelie stunts.“When asked about forming new laws and regulations, Hitendra said, “Such decisions are made by the govt, and we’re approaching the state govt on the same lines.”Impact of social mediaAccording to a senior police officer, who worked as superintendent in different districts in Karnataka, the sudden spurt in wheelie cases is the result of social media influence. “Youngsters watch videos of wheeling and other stunts on social media. Such videos/pictures are shared instantly among the like-minded, and they get instigated and decide to perform such stunts. Also, a trend where individuals challenge each other to do such stunts is emerging,” he said.What punishment?Adults caught performing wheelie stunts are booked for rash and negligent driving and later fined in court. Also, they must execute a bond, undertaking not to repeat such offences in future. If the offender is a minor, they will be booked under the Juvenile Justice Act. Separate cases will also be filed against the parent/guardian and the vehicle owner. They’ll also be fined in court.