Police Cracking Down On Wheelies, Reckless Bike Riding

Can you pop a wheelie on a bicycle?

If you do in Suffolk County, you can ride that wheelie right to the big house.

Suffolk County Police are warning residents that reckless bicycling is against the law.

According to a flyer distributed, riding a bicycle into oncoming traffic, performing a wheelie, swerving out of the way at the last second to avoid collision with a vehicle and other acts are against the law.

Police said you can be arrested and charged with disorderly conduct or reckless endangerment—offenses that can carry a maximum sentence between 30 days and a year in jail.

Suffolk police have said the reckless bicycling reminders come as a result of teenagers playing chicken—a game in which they ride toward a car and move at the last second—with cars.

The flyer distributed by police also says "You or your parents will have to pay a traffic ticket" and "your bicycle can be confiscated." It continues, " Additionally, your GoPro or action camera can also be confiscated and the video will be used as evidence against you."

Last month, Babylon Village trustees passed a law allowing code enforcement officers to confiscate bikes from those who are riding recklessly in traffic.

"Consider the consequences before putting your own life and the lives of others in danger," Suffolk PBA officials said in July. "Suffolk PBA members will vigorously enforce the vehicle and traffic laws related to bicycles and any other reckless behavior."

Dangerous riding has also extended outside of Suffolk County, with Nassau lawmakers last month proposing a law to make the offense a misdemeanor and impose a $100 fine on parents of children over 12.