This is the shocking moment a Mercedes SUV knocks over a motorbike on the motorway causing its rider to hit the tarmac hard and at speed.

The incident took place on the Xi’an Ring Expressway, which is a ring road encircling the city of Xi’an, which is the capital of Shaanxi Province in north-western China.

The footage shows the Mercedes-Benz SUV changing lane and hitting the motorcycle, which topples over and sends its rider rolling on the ground.

The motorcycle rider remarkably escaped with only a few scratches and “slight abrasions”, according to local media, and went to hospital for a checkup.

Police responded to the incident and investigated the scene of the accident. They said that the Mercedes driver was a man called Wang, 38.

The matter is being investigated by the local police, who deem the car driver fully responsible for the incident.

The Xi’an Traffic Police said: “The accident is currently under further investigation and handling, and the traffic violations involved will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.”