To view the accompanying photo essay, click here. To listen to the accompanying audio story, click here.
This documentary shows us the harsh reality of riding a motorcycle in Miami, especially along dangerous roads like Krome Avenue.
It reminds us that Florida is already known for its risky driving conditions, and raises an important question: if driving a car is so dangerous here, what does that mean for motorcyclists?
To explore this, we took a trip through Miami-Dade county on a motorcycle, looking to understand why people still ride and what they’re doing to stay safe.
Through personal stories like that of Jake Lakatis, a student and new rider, we see how motorcycling can be about much more than transportation. It can be about freedom, independence, and confidence in your own decisions. His story shows how choosing to ride is sometimes a personal milestone.
But then we meet Javier Cabrera, a more experienced rider whose serious accident reminds us that even the most confident riders can be vulnerable. His experience shows just how quickly things can go wrong, even when you think you’re in control.
The documentary also shows important data. For example, according to a study from the University of South Florida, 65% of motorcycle crashes are caused by external factors like road conditions or other drivers. But 35% are due to the riders themselves.
We spoke to retired police officer John Rojas, who’s seen the consequences firsthand.
Finally we Coach Frank Rodriguez, a motorcycle instructor who doesn’t just teach skills. He builds trust, confidence, and awareness in his students. He told us, “You can do dangerous things safely.”
