Rempit is a Malay word used erroneously to describe an activity, which is more appropriate described as road hooliganism. The general public should stop describing these activities as merempit but rather road hooliganism. The word merempit has been loosely and freely used to describe any anti social activity by a motorcyclist or a group of motorcyclists. These activities include riding fast on public roads, riding in a zigzag manner, doing wheelies, riding against traffic flow, running red lights and recently doing stoppies at traffic intersections. These anti social acts may cause injuries not only the riders themselves but also their passengers and also the general public. All these activities performed on public roads are plain hooliganism. Rempit actually refer to only one of the above acts i.e. wheelie (where a rider lifts up the front wheel). In some countries motorcycle hooligans go further by kicking other motorcyclist for no apparent reason or provocation. Women walking along the side walk are harassed endlessly.
Origin- ‘REMPIT’
In the early seventies
new powerful racers were raced for the first time at Daytona. The 2 stroke TZ 750
Yamahas and Suzuki 750’s were so powerful that only expert riders like Kenny
Roberts, Barry Sheene, Randy Mamola and a few others were trusted with the
bikes. Spectators were shown how powerful the bikes were as the leading riders
come out of a corner, the front tyres were lifted up. Riders then used this act
to show sign of victory. Winning rider would lift their front wheels as they
crossed the finish line. This act later became known as a wheelie and with it
gone are the hand waving and punching of the air. Every body who has a bike between
their legs now wanted to wheelie. Magazines showed how to do wheelies and
schools were set up to teach wheelies. To succeed in executing a wheelie, one
important act that one must do is ‘to rev
it’. Without revving you cannot do a wheelie. As the act came to our country
it somehow got mumbo jumbo and ended up as rem
it. The act of lifting the front wheel became known as rempit.
Remp-It or Road Hooliganism?
The act of ‘merempit’ itself requires expertise skill to execute and control.Not anybody can do it. Our youth who ‘rempit’are skillful in this act and it will be a waste if they are used merely to decorate road hooliganism. Youth who has these skills should be encouraged to apply their skills in a more useful manner. These skills can be applied in the motorcycle sports of TRIAL Competition or developed into a career as extreme performer. TRIAL competition has not really set foot in the country although some enthusiast did trial riding in KL and Penang sometime back. There are 2 basic forms of Trial competition i.e. Indoor and Outdoor.
Hopefully the relevant bodies like youth and motorcycle clubs can introduce this sports thus diverting wasteful energy from the road to the trial arena.
TRIAL
For outdoor, natural settings are used as obstacle and drums, concrete and tyres are used as indoor obstacles. Riders are required to overcome obstacles and demerit points given if a foot or boot foot touches the ground. I am sure if not all at least some mat rempits will move away from the public roads. To those who are rempiting currently, find out more about trial and if you are a member of a youth club, get your office bearers to introduce this sport.
What is REMPIT?
Remp-It or Road Hooliganism?