You've probably seen them on the road, maybe you've grown to hate them. Bullet bikes are everywhere, and many think they're a menace.
Riders say it's not the bike, but who's driving it that's the problem.
News Specialist Karen Scullin explains.
It's no secret that bullet bike riders are often hurt or even killed in accidents. That's one reason why police were so concerned when they received calls from citizens saying a pack of bullet bike riders were driving recklessly.
Police haggle with riders quite often, but riders say they're being stereotyped unfairly.
Danno Smith, Rider: "WHETHER YOU LIKE THEM OR HATE THEM, THEY CATCH YOUR EYE. AND THAT'S ALWAYS GOOD WHEN YOU'RE A TWENTY-YEAR-OLD."
Police officers who patrol the streets say the bikes catch their eyes, too.
Mykal Bush/Ride: "KIND OF AN INNOCENT LITTLE RIDE."
It was a just quick trip to a fast food joint, but they didn't know someone was watching.
Infrared video captures every move.
Danno Smith/Rider: "ONE OF THE FRONT MEN DECIDED THEY WERE GOING TO DO A LITTLE SHOWING
OFF."
"OH THERE'S A WHEELIE ON THE FRONT ONE."
In this case, most of the riders were accused of going anywhere from 60 to 90 miles an hour along 13th East in suburban Sandy.
Kevin Thacker/Sandy Police Dept.: "YOU'RE TALKING A 45 MILE AN HOUR ZONE UP THERE."
"MR. WHEELIE MAN WAS DOING 90."
They were all nailed for reckless driving, and plead guilty---but some of the bikers still dispute the charges.
Karen Scullin/Eyewitness News: "POLICE SAY THEY GET COMPLAINTS FROM CITIZENS ALL THE TIME, REPORTS OF RECKLESS DRIVING. AND THE NOISE. RIDERS SAY IT'S A FEW DAREDEVILS THAT ARE GIVING THEM ALL A BAD NAME."
"WE WERE GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION."
Alex Zinaich/Safety Instructor/Rider: "THERE'RE A GOOD 20 TO 30 RIDERS, AND THERE SEEMS TO BE ONE OR TWO IN THERE THAT HAVE SOMETHING TO PROVE."
Roger Bennett/Safety Instructor/Rider: "I THINK THE TESTOSTERONE COMES OUT WHEN THEY GET ON THESE MOTORCYCLES."
Biker owners say they're picked on by police all the time--followed, even if they're doing nothing wrong.
Alex Zinaich: "I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD HAVE A BIG TARGET ON MY BACK."
Mykal Bush: "I FEEL LIKE IT'S NOT WORTH IT, SO THAT'S WHY I'D LIKE TO MORE OR LESS
SELL IT."
Roger Bennett: "THOSE FEW BAD APPLES RUIN IT FOR THE PEOPLE SUCH AS MYSELF."
Police say the average recreational rider isn't a big problem. It's a growing number of stolen bikes showing up on the roads.
Bullet bikes are hot property for thieves in the valley, and the thieves love to take their loot for a high speed joyride.
Sgt. Robbie Russo/Auto Theft Detective: "OFTEN THEY ATTRACT OUR ATTENTION BY ERRATIC DRIVING OR CUTTING OFF
PEOPLE."
And, he says, it's those riders that actually dare police to chase them.
Sgt. Russo: "OH, NO QUESTION. AS A MATTER A FACT I'VE SEEN THEM SLOW DOWN BEFORE TO LET US CATCH UP AND THEN TAKE OFF AGAIN."
But police examine the risks before they chase. And usually the danger level is high, especially when dealing with an inexperienced rider.
Roger Bennett: "YOU CAN GET IN OVER YOUR HEAD VERY QUICKLY."
Police would like to see it be a requirement that when you buy a bullet bike, or "sport bike" as the riders prefer, you be forced to take a safety class.
There is one offered by the Sport Bike Association. You can find out more about it at www.utahsba.com
There're already about 200 members of all ages in the Utah Sport Bike Association, and they say their numbers are growing.
