This is the moment a British tourist risks both a hefty fine and serious injury by pulling wheelies on a rented mobility scooter. The holidaymaker showed no obvious disability that might explain hiring the vehicle as he performed stunts for amused Spanish onlookers.
The footage, filmed at night in Playa de las Americas in southern Tenerife, shows the misuse is not confined to Benidorm’s Costa Blanca, where local chiefs have long clamped down on reckless visitors treating scooters like toys. The Brit could be heard shouting “action” as a Spaniard filmed, urging “Go, go, go,” before he popped his first wheelie and slammed back down as laughter erupted around him. Moments later he nearly flipped the scooter while racing along the pavement before his friend almost toppled his own machine by reversing down steps.
The same Brit then sped down the steps correctly outside a currency exchange — cheered on again with cries of “Go, go, go” — before charging up another stairway and smashing into a wall.
Seconds earlier his companion had pulled out his phone and told him: “Show them what you’re made of.”
One local, referencing Nintendo’s Mario Kart, mocked the Brit by calling him a Guiri and adding: “Mad guiri with the Mario Kart go-kart.” Another joked: “The police don’t exist in the south of Tenerife.” A third quipped: “Quality tourism.”
The island has been at the centre of anti-mass tourism protests.
Graffiti in English scrawled last April around Palm Mar read: “My misery your paradise” and “Average salary in Canary Islands is 1,200 euros.”
In retaliation, one message appeared next to “Tourists go home” declaring: “F##k off, we pay your wages.”
At the same time, thousands across the Canary Islands protested against overcrowding, housing shortages and pollution blamed on the influx of holidaymakers.
Officials in Tenerife said 30,000 joined, while organisers claimed closer to 80,000.
Mobility scooters surged in popularity in Benidorm after the TV series of the same name featured character Madge riding one.
Authorities were forced to curb stag party revellers in fancy dress tearing around the resort on scooters.
By-laws were brought in requiring anyone under 55 to show medical proof of disability before renting a vehicle.
Scooters also had to be council-registered and display a number linking them to the rental company and user.
In September 2002, councillor Jose Ramon Gonzalez de Zarate revealed 300 fines had already been issued for dangerous use in just eight months.
Figures for this year are still pending.
