In Gaziantep, Turkey, a dangerous pastime among youths that has previously made headlines turned tragic when a teenager lost his life. On the evening of February 22, 2026, 16-year-old Barış Tanrıverdi was riding his bicycle downhill at high speed on the D-400 road, known locally as İpekyolu, when he collided with a car. The impact threw him onto the road, and he was then struck by a passing worker shuttle bus, resulting in fatal injuries. The boy died at the scene, leaving his family and the community in mourning.

Dangerous bicycle races and acrobatic tricks performed by young people in areas open to traffic have been reported previously, and similar videos have circulated in the past. Residents have expressed concern on social media and called on authorities to take measures to prevent further accidents. Many pointed out that such stunts on a busy route like the D-400 endanger not only the participants but also other road users, and urged that these activities be stopped and prohibited.

Some residents demanded stricter controls, including banning the use of bicycles on that stretch of road and implementing more effective safety precautions. They raised the question of how many more lives will be lost as calls grew for stronger preventive actions.