As the evening breaks along Koh Pich Street, passers-by may see an unfamiliar sight: young people, especially high school students, doing high-flying tricks on BMX bikes.

According to rider Born Ratana, 18, it can sometimes be a dangerous activity.

“I know, for sure that this is a dangerous thing to participate in, but people are going to die one day, and I need fun when I am still alive,” he says.

Riding, Ratana added, is better than doing drugs or taking part in other illegal activities.

Trick riding is divided into two types: one is street riding, in which bicyclists use ramps, benches, kerbs and other obstacles found naturally throughout the city.

The other is riding in a skate park, where there are specially built ramps and equipment for skating.

Ratana hopes that one day trick riding might even turn into a livelihood for him – though for now, he says, it’s just fun.