South Florida has long been a hotspot for motorcycle culture, warm-weather riding, and unfortunately, the kind of street antics that give motorcyclists a bad name. Fort Lauderdale, in particular, has been dealing with the fallout from road takeovers and reckless riding for years, and local law enforcement has made it abundantly clear that patience has run out. A recent arrest served as the latest proof that the department is not just issuing warnings.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department took to Facebook following a motorcycle arrest to post a message that was short, dry, and to the point. A rider had been charged with felony fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, and a stack of traffic citations. The bike was confiscated. The department’s parting line said it all: “You can post the video. We can post the arrest.” It is the kind of line that lands differently when you know they mean it.
For the enthusiast community, incidents like this are frustrating on multiple levels. Responsible riders who spend real money on gear, insurance, licensing, and track days watch the reputation of the sport take hits every time someone decides a public street is an appropriate venue for stunt riding. The road is not a venue. It never was…