This is the hilarious moment a rider trying to start his scooter on the edge of a quay suddenly shoots forward and plunges into the water.

CCTV footage shows the man sitting on the scooter and seemingly preparing to set off in Cesme, Izmir, Turkey.

All of a sudden, the vehicle lurches forward, sending both the rider and the two-wheeled vehicle straight off the wharf and into the water.

Shocked onlookers rush over to check on him, and moments later, he is seen emerging from the water and clambering back onto the pier as the video clip ends.

Local media reports said the man has not yet been identified.

It remains unclear whether he suffered any injuries or if the motorbike was recovered from the bottom of the marina on July 1.