Ever wonder what is running through the minds of those young people in the crosshairs of the current police operation targeting anti-social and illegal behaviour on motorised bikes following a string of incidents impacting the sports community?
Wonder no more.
To know more about the not-so-underground subculture created by teenagers passionate about e-bike, e-scooter and electric motorbikes, you don't have to look further than social media.
Thanks to recent generations being raised in the digital age, where nothing can happen unless it is documented and shared publicly online, it's quite easy to find exactly what the reaction is to the police operation from those devotees of "bike life".
Having trawled through hundreds of accounts, videos and comment threads, doing our very best to decipher the meaning of different hashtags and slang used by riders, it's clear the police operation is not popular.
Many in the "bike life" subculture are teenage boys, though we did find some girls involved too.
While the police operation and community uproar has convinced some to pause riding for a while amid the greater scrutiny, others are unwilling to rethink any of their behaviour on bikes at all, let alone park their "tuff" vehicles.
These young people appear frustrated by the negative overall perception of their recreational pursuits.
There is a sentiment that it is unfair to impede on their hobby that mostly involves conquering the wheelie, riding fast and going on large group "rideouts" to picturesque spots around Canberra.
And a surprising theme that is repeated is the importance of mental health, too - the joy they gain from hanging out with mates, pursuing and mastering a hobby, and the freedom of exploring the great outdoors.
The irony there is that while not all riders are tearing up sportsgrounds and public spaces that ruin them for use by the broader community, for those people who do, there clearly isn't much consideration for how such destructive actions - including intimidating behaviour - can impact the mental health of others.
There are hundreds of players that cannot run out to compete in sports every weekend when fields get closed due to vandalism.
Teams of volunteers have to dig into their own pockets to make ground repairs and dedicate hours of their time outside of their regular jobs to do so.
Parents and kids stop feeling safe and comfortable going to their local parks, sportsgrounds, playgrounds or shops.
"Taking away kids e-bikes isn't protecting the community. It's just isolating teens who finally found a way to breathe," one TikTok user said.
"ACT police ruining it."
"Teens just trying to live life to the fullest ... need to realise these bikes help more people than harm," was another caption set onto video clips of an illegal electric motorcycle on TikTok.
"Bike life isn't ending, it just started," said another youngster defiantly, who also added the hashtag "crackdown ain't s---".
ACT Policing confirmed they do monitor activity on social media, where among those riding safely, there are countless publicly visible clips from around Canberra of youths riding e-bikes and e-scooters dangerously on and off roads, and doing burnouts at playgrounds and sportsgrounds.
Some accounts clearly show faces of riders, with a few even in their school uniforms.
Videos are posted of interactions with authorities and members of the public brave enough to confront them, who are mocked and labelled "Karens".
TikTok users put up videos boasting about how many police "chases" they evaded and detail to friends what happened, when they were stopped and where to avoid.
It's a raw and eye-opening view of how the operation is being received by the very people police are trying to get to change their behaviours, ride safely and within the law.
"There is no specific law in the ACT that prohibits the filming and publishing of videos capturing crimes such as speeding, theft or criminal damage," a police spokesperson said.
"If a video of an alleged criminal act is posted online, police can collect the video to use as evidence in a criminal investigation. Videos may be also submitted to assist during sentencing proceedings.
"Videos and images can also be obtained from electronic devices seized during search warrants.
"Police may speak to the person who posted the video or anyone in the footage to determine when and where the alleged offence took place.
"While videos can assist police in their investigations, they are not the only evidence used to support criminal charges.
"As part of the ongoing operation countering illegal and anti-social behaviour on motorbikes and e-rideables, ACT Policing intelligence is monitoring social media to identify incidents and individuals involved in these matters."
ACT Policing is set to continue the operation over the next few weeks and the community has been informed that high visibility patrols will be conducted across Canberra.
"Patrols are being focused around playing fields where sporting events are being conducted," a spokesperson said.
"Members of the public are reminded to report any illegal behaviour by riders of trailbikes or e-rideables to Crime Stoppers via the website."
The government also has no plans of outlawing the use of e-bikes and e-scooters by people under 18 either, despite the growing public backlash at their misuse.
"The ACT government is not considering banning the use of e-scooters, e-bikes and motorbikes by people under the age of 18," a spokesperson said.
"The ACT government reminds the community that e-scooters and e-bikes must meet certain rules, including power limits. All electric bikes that are above 250 watts are illegal and must not be used on public roads or paths.
"E-scooters and e-bikes provide people with valued and convenient options for short trips on their own or combined with public transport.
"They also play a positive role in helping reduce car dependence to address the big challenges in emission reduction, traffic congestion, healthy lifestyles, and to support a compact and efficient city.
"E-scooters and e-bikes are recognised in the ACTs Transport Strategy 2020 and Active Travel Plan 2024-30 as a safe, flexible and affordable transport option for our city."
