Metro stunt riding groups are attracting thousands of people to sites like YouTube by posting videos of riders doing dangerous tricks and speeding on highways and roads around Kansas City.
One group called the Blox Starz has its own website and even sells T-shirts and hoodies reading "I Don't Stop for Cops.”
Videos posted to the Blox Starz YouTube page show riders weaving in and out of traffic and performing tricks on one wheel.
Several videos also show riders waving at police cars and speeding away as officers try to chase after them.
Since videos can easily be shared on social media sites, the Kansas Highway Patrol said stunt riding has become a big issue, with many calls about incidents coming in during warmer months and on weekends.
"It's been a problem for several years and I think with social media it's just increased in that regard," explained Lt. PJ Behm, a KHP trooper.
Behm explained that police can use aircraft to monitor stunt riding, but often times the motorcycles are too fast to keep up with.
"Law enforcement is aware they are hard to catch because of the type of vehicle they are on and how they accelerate rapidly," he said. "We don't have the capabilities to pursue them when they're driving so recklessly."
As videos from the Blox Starz show, police are often times powerless to stop the offenders.
"We can try and put people in various locations and try and guess where they're heading to try and intercept," Behm said, after being asked what could be done to stop illegal stunt driving.
When asked for comment by 41 Action News, a Blox Starz member explained how he believes stunt riding is not as dangerous as many people think.
The member, who wished to remain anonymous, said stunt riding is no more dangerous than texting while driving.
Moving forward, police hope stunt riders stop putting so many people in harm's way.
"It's very disheartening to see this type of activity out on the highway knowing that it not only endangers their lives, but endangers the lives of the motoring public," Behm explained.
Behm added that if police are able to catch someone illegally stunt riding, they face possible jail time and loss of their motorcycle.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
