Are wheelies illegal? Why?

[yambabe]

Just reading Goose's post in Dear Auntie BCF, and it was brought up that there is a pic of him wheelying on a public road which is illegal.

Despite some googling I can't see any bit of the RTA which outlaws wheelies specifically, so I am wondering just WHAT is it makes them illegal?

Anyone been caught and done for it? What was the charge?
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[quacker_boy]

Just a stab in the dark.

But i'd imagine driving without due care and attention. It's not like you can mantain a massive amount of control of a bike when you're on the back wheel unless you're a pro/semi pro stunt rider...
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

You're not in full control of the vehicle. So dangerous driving, wreckless driving and driving without due care could all be possible candidates.
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[Trixie]

I don't think wheelies specifically are illegal, but whelies, stoppies, etc, can be interpreted as reckless driving - which is illegal.

As I'm sad and haven't mastered the art of wheelies, I can't tell you about my experience of getting caught!!
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[yambabe]

[Jamie.]

I know a guy that lost the books for wheelieing in the town centre, Not sure if it would have made any difference if he got caught in a more rural area. He got done for elevation of the front wheel.

[thegubner]

What books did he lose?

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[G]

[Jamie.]

[Walloper]

No brainer this one.

Most o the braking is done by the vehicle front wheel brakes.
When this wheel is in the air it has zero braking effect.
So that would render the act illegal as you are not using the vehicle in the manner it is designed for.
RTA: Contruction and Use.


And it is also showing off
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[Kal]

[phk6]

id say wheeling means your in better controll, i cant wheelie for fuck so i dont unless its the odd power wheelie, but i can go round corners fast
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[Kal]

Go on justify that.
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[veeeffarr]

I'm sure some people are as much in control of their vehicle at 70mph in a 30 than some people are at 20mph in a 30? Does that make it legal?!

Restricted view of the road ahead (?)
Loss of braking efficiency
Smaller contact patch
Possibility of startling other motorists
You probably aren't driving in accordance with your insurance
Increased risk of an accident due to losing control

[G]

It may not make it illegal, but driving at over the speed limit doesn't automatically mean being done for 'not in proper control' .

[Pete.]

There are people who can remain in excellent control of their bike doing wheelies, but most wouldn't be, and the ones who are weren't born with the skill so at one time they couldn't have been either. Wheelies are fun and fine in the right conditions IMHO but whilst sharing-space with other road users or potentially pedestrians isn't the right place. If there are others on the road then how are you going to take avoiding action with no steerable tyre in contact? Steering in a wheelie is possible but not as an avoiding action to an unexpected situation.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Sephiroth]

But they look so awesome when you overtake a car and clutch it up.

Always wondered, is doing a roll on wheelie (like if you rev to red line in first for example) illegal?

Probably as you're 'losing control' of the bike.

[Richie-ninja]

Just do what my mate and myself done... Find a private road in an indusrial estate and wheely to your heart content......
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[Johnny GSX-R]

I can't honestly believe i'm reading this thread

1) Who says they are 'ILLEGAL' ?? where does it say it in the book of law??

2) It will come under 'Dangerous Driving' which will incurr a ban.
Dangerous Driving is quite a grey area but a wheelie will 90% of the time fall into that category.

3) They are damn dangerous when performed on the public road or in the vacinity of members of the public.

4) It gives other bikers a bad name.

5) As stated, the higher percentage of braking is done by the front wheel, with that in the air you are significantly increasing your braking distance = DANGEROUS.

[G]

[Johnny GSX-R]

All off road tyres used in our club are road legal, there by not breaking the law!

I'll tell ya what smart arse, go and pull some wheelies and lets see how the court sees things.
I personally haven't got an issue with the odd wheelie, however, when someone needs to ask why they are seen as illegal then i have answered the question.

As for waving to a girl and her mum whilst pulling a wheelie.........whats next, an add in the 'SAD LONELY FUCKER' column in the news paper.
What a tosser

[G]

[Pete.]

I bet this guy will be wishing he hadn't pretty soon

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=454726&in_page_id=1770
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[colin1]

yes its possible to be dangerous legally

but that doesnt mean thats its wrong for something less dangerous to be judged illegal

yes a person who can do a wheelie is displaying their skill, but they arent as in control of their bike as if they had two wheels on the ground

some people can speed safely but they arent exempt from speed limits, as speed limits are set at a level where even idiots arent too dangerous

thats the way it should be

anyone breaking the law should accept that they are being naughty but think they are big and clever enough to do so

they shouldnt think the law is wrong
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