In Phuket, motorbikes are everywhere. For many students, including myself, motorbikes are more than just a mode of transportation – they’re a symbol of freedom. Being able to ride around the island without relying on public transport or parents gives us independence. But lately, this youth motorbike culture is becoming more dangerous than exciting, and it’s something we can’t ignore.

 

Why Motorbikes are Popular Among Students

 

For most students in Phuket, owning a motorbike feels like a rite of passage. When you hit your teenage years, it’s normal to see friends and classmates zooming around on scooters, meeting up at the beach or hanging out after school. Public transport here is limited, and taxis can be expensive, so having a motorbike is often seen as the easiest way to get around.

 

Plus, riding in groups has become part of the social scene. You’ll see packs of young riders on the streets, heading out together for fun. Some even show off their skills, trying to pull stunts or race down quiet roads. On social media, it looks cool, and many of us feel pressure to join in. But that sense of freedom and excitement can quickly turn dangerous.

 

The Reality of Risk

 

The more I’ve seen, the more I realize how risky this motorbike culture can be, especially for students who aren’t always following the rules. A lot of us don’t really think about safety – we just want to get from one place to another or impress our friends. It’s not uncommon to see people riding without helmets or even without proper licenses. Some parents allow their kids to ride, even though they know they aren’t properly trained.

 

And the consequences are real. Accidents involving young riders are happening more often. We’ve all heard about or know someone who got into a crash, sometimes with really serious injuries or even worse. What’s scary is that these accidents are often preventable, caused by reckless driving, speeding, or simply not paying attention to safety.

 

The Social Media Factor

 

Another big part of this issue is social media. Videos of stunts or people riding at high speeds get shared all the time on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. When you see someone getting hundreds of likes or views for pulling off a dangerous trick, it’s tempting to want to do the same. But the problem is that these stunts are risky, and many people don’t realize the danger until it’s too late. It’s one thing to watch it on your phone, but it’s another to think about the real damage it can cause when things go wrong.

 

How it Affects Our Community

 

This problem isn’t just about the riders themselves – it affects everyone. When students get into accidents, it puts a lot of pressure on families, friends, and the community. The hospitals in Phuket are seeing more emergency cases involving young people, and I’ve seen firsthand how these crashes can leave families devastated.

 

Tourists, who come to Phuket for a peaceful vacation, also notice the problem. Many have had bad experiences with reckless riders, and some have even been involved in accidents themselves. It makes the roads less safe, and it hurts the image of our island as a welcoming destination.

 

What Needs to Change

 

Thankfully, there are some efforts to make things better. The police have started cracking down on underage riders and enforcing helmet laws more strictly. Schools are also running campaigns to teach us about the importance of road safety. But honestly, a lot more still needs to be done.

 

Parents, teachers, and students all need to play a role in fixing this problem. Parents should be more careful about letting their kids ride motorbikes, making sure they have the proper training and licenses. Schools can continue to raise awareness and push for safer habits. And as students, we need to take more responsibility for our own safety and stop thinking of motorbikes as just a way to have fun or look cool.

 

Moving Forward

 

As students, we need to recognize that our freedom on the roads comes with a huge responsibility. The excitement of riding a motorbike isn’t worth the risk of getting hurt – or worse. If we don’t take steps to change how we approach motorbike culture, the dangers will only grow.

 

Phuket is an incredible place to live, but we need to keep it safe – for ourselves, for the community, and for the visitors who come here. It’s up to us to make smarter choices and ensure that motorbikes remain a tool for independence, not a source of tragedy.