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Bikers Are Given Thumbs Down To 1 Wheel Up
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Published: May 11, 2008
TAMPA - Displays of bravado on two wheels are nearly as old as wheels.
From Steve McQueen hopping the barbed wire fence in "The Great Escape" to Evel Knievel's long-distance leaps, stunts on bikes have drawn gasps from onlookers.
They include the wheelie, when the front wheel of the motorcycle comes off the pavement with a twist of the throttle and the bike is ridden a distance on one wheel.
Starting Oct. 1, however, the anti-wheelie law takes effect.
A rider can be cited under the new state law and face a $1,000 fine. That's for a first offense.
A second offense carries a maximum fine of $2,500. A third-timer faces a felony charge and can be fined as much as $5,000 - along with a 10-year license revocation.
The statute was introduced by Florida Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, a Republican from Miami. His bill requires motorcyclists to "maintain both wheels on the ground at all times."
He introduced it after seeing sport bikers doing stunts, including wheelies, on Interstate 95 in Miami.
"I witnessed it several times on the expressway," Lopez-Cantera said Tuesday. "Two weekends in a row, they were doing really crazy stunts. They were hanging off, scraping their feet on the median, riding sidesaddle and doing wheelies.
"There also was a van chasing them, filming it all."
That prompted him to take action.
"When I saw that, I said, 'I've got to do something, at least bring attention to it.'"
He said other dangerous stunts are addressed in other statutes, but wheelies were not.
His law will catch the attention of daredevils, he said. Initially, he wanted to include a provision to allow forfeiture of offenders' motorcycles, but that fell by the wayside.
Though charges such as reckless driving could be brought against someone doing wheelies, the fines are less than a few hundred dollars, Lopez-Cantera said, and stunt riders don't take them seriously.
"They say it's just the cost of doing business."
By naming wheelies in the law, the penalties are increased, he said.
"We needed to pass something they would fear."
Tampa lawyer John MacKay, who represents motorcyclists in civil and traffic court, said the legislation is unnecessary.
"I think it's going to open a can of worms because it's difficult to see when that wheel is coming off the ground," MacKay said.
The law will be easily challenged, he said, "unless you've got a kid who is standing up vertically."
Still, it will come down to the word of the biker against the word of the law enforcement officer and witnesses.
Just about every biker charged will have a defense that a condition in the road caused the front wheel to come up, he said.
"If you hit a rock a little hard," MacKay said, "your wheel is going to come up off the ground."
He said he has seen stunt riders and shakes his head at their bravado. Still, he said, the anti-wheelie law is not the answer.
"I have never heard of a problem with people doing wheelies," he said. "I see it. I know it makes people mad. I know it is a stupid thing to do. But ultimately natural selection takes its course."
Whether the law will be successfully challenged depends on the case, he said.
"Legislation like this, on the first time around, it's not so difficult to take it down," he said. "But as the government fine-tunes it, ultimately they will get something that will stand."
Michael Shepherd owns Bucks Down Racing in Oldsmar, which outfits and modifies racing motorcycles for road and track use. He said a lot of his customers are part of the sport bike crowd that is targeted by the legislation.
"They are noticeably irate about this law that was passed," he said. "They're aware of it, big time."
The group is young and not that organized, though, and is not likely to mount any legal opposition to it, he added.
"The kids who do that are going to do that anyway," Shepherd said. "They're just going to go out and post lookouts now."
Many are "really talented individuals," he said, who may have futures in trick motorcycle riding.
He said that much of his business, though, is customizing motorcycles that race on tracks.
"We spend most of our life trying to keep our front wheel on the ground."
Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( Marco ) on May 11, 2008 at 6:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well I can see it now. Cops staking out Bayshore Blvd waiting to catch all motorcyclists that ride on it. (Humor intended - Bayshore is one of the crappiest roads I have ridden. Bikes get swquirrely on the road joints, potholes, uneven surfaces, etc.)
The wheelies thing, in principle, I agree with if it is better couched (i.e., >50ft, as part of speeding, et al.) My opinion is based upon observances where those sport bikes that do this type of exibitious driving have a propensity to break other laws that put others in danger (and yes, I am a biker).
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Posted by ( jharv78 ) on May 11, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
As a long time biker, I have no problem with the new law. The argument that it is too vague is ridiculous. No motorcycle running over a stone or pot hole will be forced into a wheelie. Having a wheel come off the ground for a nano second and doing a wheelie are two different things and any law enforcement official knows that.
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Posted by ( retired2010 ) on May 11, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
These kids nowdays drive on these crotchrockets like crazy people, doing stupid things such as wheelies weaving in and out of traffic and when they have accident the injuries are more serious because they dont have helmets. New law should stand since they cant govern themselves and be safe someone has to stand up for those others who will be injured when they cause accidents for their Driving while stupid incidents
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Posted by ( HeloDriver ) on May 11, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Leave it to a defense lawyer to say something asinine like "I think it's going to open a can of worms because it's difficult to see when that wheel is coming off the ground." Are you kidding me?? When I'm behind one of those knuckleheads in traffic and i can see over his shoulder and view his handlebars and his front fender, there's no question the wheel is off the ground. And the suggestion that some of the riders are good and have a future in trick riding hardly constitutes a defense. That's like saying that a Nascar driver can drive with reckless abandon because he's a professional driver. Get a grip folks. Quit to trying to make excuses for people who break the law. Your song will change when one of those idiots kills a family member, and then the new chorus will be "why didn't police enforce the law?"
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Posted by ( LARGO_TOM ) on May 11, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Save your thrill stunts , bike or cars, for private tracks. Public roads are for transportation not showoffs.
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Posted by ( RRR ) on May 11, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Its great to see the atty speak out like that--what an idiot.
As several writers have stated take the stunts to private property. then there is not a problem if the driver wants to be an organ donor.
And the person who said they have never seen that behavior on the street is eithier an idiot or a liar. Or worse yet cannot see whats happening on the road ahead of them.
I am for individual rights but not when it costs me to support the services and victims families from these stunts.
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Posted by ( DennyPCrane ) on May 11, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
"I think it's going to open a can of worms because it's difficult to see when that wheel is coming off the ground," MacKay said. Hardy harr de harr harr. What a rediculous statement for a shyster lawyer to say. He is in effect insulting the intelligence of all of us. We can't see a front wheel coming off of the ground? What a laugh. Being in law enforcement I have written hundred of citations for careless driving for this offense. Now there will be a specific statute which will address this issue. Motorcycle drivers are for the most part responsible people and most despise the idiots who pull wheelies. I have had a motorcycle on and off for over 20 years, driven from Florida to Massachusetts and back and have NEVER hit a pothole or rock which caused me to do a wheelie. This idiot lawyer is a fool and is just making excuses for unexcusable behavior. Good luck in traffic court trying to represent any danger to others by stating there was a rock in the road causing a wheelie.
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Posted by ( RonG ) on May 11, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I have a question.
Exactly how many people have been harmed as a result of "doing wheelies" and do we need to protect them from themselves?
Methinks some fat cat got his panties in a knot because someone of a $6000 Ninja 600 can smoke his $60,000 BMW and still get 55 MPG.
BTW, I ride a motorcycle and DONT pull wheelies. I'm grateful that someone is looking out for my health but I think if they'd enforce the laws against the idiot aggressive drivers, for example, that seem to think I'm a target rather than a vehicle, I might just be able to stay even healthier.
In almost every motorcycle accident, the car is at fault.
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Posted by ( jamesg ) on May 11, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Now that Florida has a law that requires motorcyclists to keep their front tires on the pavement I wish some law maker had the gonads to push a law that requires mufflers on all motor cycles, just like all cars, trucks and buses have. Excessive noise is proven polution.
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Posted by ( Marco ) on May 11, 2008 at 6:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hey jamesg, right on man! Lets get that law passed along with loud exhaust on cars and while we are at it, lets ban loud car stereos. Also, lets ban car phones (I bet you have one) since they are a contributing factor to inattentive driving (most accidents are caused by car and truck drivers where the biker is not at fault). Also, lets pass a law that makes sound proof cars illegal. Since the number 1 excuse when car drivers kill bikers is "I did not see him". If you don't see me, I want you to hear me. Excessive gas is proven pollution. Pleeeazze!
By the way jamesg, there is already a law on the books [in FL) that deals with excessive noise. I invite you to do the research even though it might not fit your agenda.
Hey RonG, let me provide a bit of background this on this law. It is actually a compromise from the original that sought to target and increase penalties for speeding motorcyclists. These penalties include seizure and forfeiture of the vehicle for reckless driving or exceeding the speed limit beyond 30 miles per hour,
and, upon conviction, revocation of motorcycle licensure for a period of 10 years. When motorcyclists decried the singling out of motorcyclists with no similar provisos for auto drivers that exceed the speed limit by 30MPH, the bill was amended to reflect its current version (but still nothing similar exists for automobile speeders). The hidden thesis is that Sport bike riders have both a propensity to speed (and take greater risks) [and run from the law] AND put both themselves and the public at risk. As a biker with 30+ years in the saddle, I have to agree with those suppositions.
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Posted by ( RobKay ) on May 11, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Man, they'll make a law for just about anything anyone can think of here in good ole' Florida. I thought the saggy pants and truck-ticles were about as off the wall as they could go but they're not even slowing down. Has anyone thought about doing a little research and publishing a book about all the wierd laws they've passed in Florida over the past few years? I'd buy a copy. I'll bet there are some real winners on the books. I've noticed more than a few broncos at the last rodeo with all 4 hoofs off the ground at once. Wonder if there's a law about that yet? Someone's gotta get through to those old duffers in the state house that "IF THE MUSIC IS TOO LOUD, YOU'RE TOO OLD!"
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Posted by ( RonG ) on May 11, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
My main objection is this is a silly law to pass. I know of no wide spread problem (albeit the squids are nuts) with traffic safety.
Besides that is what reckless and careless driving laws are for.
As the other guy said, yet another silly Florida law.
In fact if it were me I'd make everyone wear helmets. Helmets have saved me from a fractured skull or worse.
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Posted by ( TOMMYSOAP ) on May 11, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
RonG..As if one of these morons doing his wheelies, gets into a wreck with a car, he not going to try and blame the "Caged" driver?..How naive? or are you really that much of a brain stem. I have been driving professionally for over 23 yrs with 1.5 million accident free miles, 90% of bikers speed right off the bat, and most ignore proper lane changes, so to say most biker wrecks are the cars fault is pure stupidity.
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Posted by ( Aquaholic ) on May 12, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This reminds me of Charlie Crist vs. Insurance. Whatever will gain the most popularity is what our politicians put front and center! If you want to do a wheelie, do one, I know your 350lb bike has no chance at hurting me because I'm in a huge, safe cage! Wheelie away if it turns you on, because if you fall you will be the only one injured!
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Posted by ( GF ) on May 12, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Aquaholic, Tell that to the lady that was T-boned in her full sized GM SUV by the wheelie riding sport bike that was doing 100+ mph. Oh,....you can't, she's dead.
But about the story, the wheelie is already illegal, it's called careless driving.
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Posted by ( RonG ) on May 12, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
For TOMMYSOAP - Learn how to read. I did not support "Wheelies for Everyone". I simply said we already have adequate traffic laws to deal with reckless drivers.
Aquaholic is on the money. This is a feel good law for those wussies that get all shook up when a bike goes around them like they are standing still, a perfectly legal move albeit my experience is that typical idiot drivers hate it when it happens.
I have been chased down the interstate by speeding idiots (Which is BTW one reason I ride a sport bike - You need the speed to get away from the lunatics) pulled out in front of countless times, almost sideswiped as many times and worst of all have had people look me straight in the eye and still run into me.
To even suggest that bikers pulling wheelies is a cause for an accident is ludicrous and if it were true the driver has the responsibility to keep his OWN vehicle under control.
Would you excuse a driver who was distracted by a sexy billboard and rear ended the car in front of him?
I'm ending this thread with a true story and a comment. Last year some driver of did not like a biker for some reason and proceeded to chase him in my neighborhood. The biker stopped at an stop sign at a busy intersection about 100 feet from my house. At 1AM I hear what sounded like an explosion. The auto driver had purposely rear ended the stopped motorcycle, launching him and his bike almost 60 feet across the four lane intersection with such force his body went through a wodden stockade fence across from the stop sign.
That driver is now doing 60 years in prison for the bikers death. IMO, he should have been charged with murder. Also my neighbor happened to be on his porch and saw it all (Was a trial witness).
Now what went wrong here? Did the biker go too fast? Did he pull a wheelie?
No, this is very simply a matter of ego (the road is mine), rage, and indifference to the safety of others.
And if you think about it this is the casue of way too many accidents.
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Posted by ( Malnok ) on May 22, 2008 at 8:28 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
For the most part everyone made me laugh, bunch of hypocrites. I'm a biker and ride safe. I've been cut-off from so many cars I can't count them. Why don't you worry about laws for driving in general because most people can't drive a car. People are all over the road talking on a cell phone and texting people. Pay attention to the road!
I don't agree with people doing wheelies but really they are only endangering themselves. Have you ever seen a motorcycle vs. car?
The fines are ridiculous for the infraction unless they increase all violations for driving on the road (speeding, etc.) Up to $1000 for the first infraction? Get a grip on reality because road rage is way worse than a wheelie.
After reading these comments I think the general population of Tampa has a low IQ. Some people actually had good points and views but for the most part...no.
Everyone needs to play it safe on the road.
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