Once I was traveling from Tampa to Clearwater.  It was later in the evening.  The most direct route for me was to take the Courtney Campbell Causeway, which is the causeway/bridge that crosses the northern portion of Tampa Bay, directly connecting the the cities of Tampa and Clearwater.  As I proceeded east to west, I was flanked by a motorcyclist who performed a “wheelie” almost the entire length of the bridge.  Although an amazing feat, this was unnerving to say the least.  During the 5- mile plus trek across the bridge, I kept hoping he would not lose control.  I did not want to contribute to any potential injuries or death.  Oddly he mirrored my speed the whole way.  Fortunately, we, the motorcyclist and I, made it across the bridge safely.

On June 30, 2008, I wrote about a deadly weekend for motorcyclists in the Tampa Bay area.  I mentioned a motorcycle death that occurred, also on the Courtney Campbell Causeway.  A follow-up story in the July 2, 2008 St. Petersburg Times reported that the unfortunate motorcyclist and another unidentified motorcyclist were doing stunts on the parkway, in the middle of the afternoon, when the rider lost control of his bike.  The investigation reportedly continues, as police attempt to identify the other cyclist.

Although, I am empathetic to the families of those injured or killed in motorcycle accidents and have represented numerous motorcyclists in the past, each person is responsible for their own actions.  Motorcyclists are more aware of this than most.