Motorcycle riders who like to do wheelies and other stunts will be severely punished from now on. A House Representative from Florida, Carlos Lopez-Cantera, is proposing a bill to curb the growing phenomenon of "thrill riding" on state roads.

After several complaints were filed by everyday road users and police authorities, Lopez-Cantera went on a ride-along with the Florida Highway Patrol to witness the problem firsthand. "These motorcyclists are just blatantly riding in excessive speeds, putting themselves in danger and putting other motorists in danger. They're doing stunts at more than 190 kph and zigzaging through the traffic at ridiculous speeds on the Dolphin Expressway," he said.

Growing phenomenon
While the situation in Canada is not as problematic -- for now -- thrill riders or stunt riders are not a rare sight. It's pretty sad to see that some individuals put themselves and other people at risk by trying to showcase their riding skills. After all, there are plenty of legal and safe venues for that kind of hobby. For a few years now, the Sanair Motorsport Complex (about an hour from Montreal) has been organizing wheelie competitions in front of fans. Stunts are performed under strict supervision and riders must wear the mandatory equipment to ensure their protection.

A reputation in danger
On behalf of every motorcycle rider in Canada, I ask you to think about the consequences of such behavior on the future of our favorite sport. Let's not wait for the authorities to become fed up with these reckless riders and implement a law to crack down on the culprits. Always remember that irresponsible actions also affect the reputation of your peers. In Florida, some unscrupulous motorcyclists went too far and the government is forced to react with drastic measures. Their motorcycle license will be revoked for 10 years, and it's a mandatory arrest so they will go to jail. The bill could be heard in a committee as soon as December and may come up for a vote next year.