Thank you, and why this matters...

Thank you to everyone who has signed, shared, and reached out. It means more than I can put into words.

Over the last 6+ years in the local motorcycle community here in Jacksonville, I have lost friends, seen riders injured, supported families after the worst call, and witnessed the lasting impact these crashes have on our entire community.

This isn’t something I’ve only watched from the sidelines. I’ve lived it.

My late husband was killed in a motorcycle accident, leaving our children without their father and our family without real answers. There was no thorough investigation, no reconstruction, no clear explanation.

And I’ve lived it as a rider too. I was hit by a drunk driver and left to pick up the pieces — over $25k in medical expenses, with a case that was essentially shrugged off in court, even by a Judge who rides herself.

But this petition isn’t just about my story.

It’s for my friends who are no longer here. For their families who still carry that loss every day. For anyone in our community who has lost someone they love, who has been injured, who has sat in a hospital room, or who has stood beside a family after a crash.

If you’ve lost someone, if you’ve been involved, if you’ve been impacted in any way — this is for you. And it’s for the future, so we can still ride. For us, for them.

Here’s what you’re calling for when you sign this:

1. Consistent Investigation Standards
When a rider is killed or seriously injured, we’re asking for a thorough, consistent investigation from JSO, FHP and other agencies — including crash reconstruction when appropriate, full scene documentation, witness interviews, preservation of evidence, pulling traffic cam / surveillance / dashcam footage, and reviewing for distraction or impairment. And motorcycle-specific training for investigators, because bike crashes are different than car crashes.

2. Transparency for Families
So families aren’t left wondering if every reasonable step was taken — clear communication on status, findings, and case closure.

3. Accountability When Negligence Is Proven
Not automatic charges — but consistent accountability based on a complete investigation when failure to yield, distracted, careless, or reckless driving contributed.

4. Motorcycle Awareness & Prevention
Expanding awareness beyond just after a tragedy — campaigns, driver education, school/youth education, hazard signage and high-traffic signage, promoting charity rides and safety events, and real partnership between city leaders, law enforcement, businesses, and the riding community.

Duval County is home to more than 55,000 motorcycle-endorsed drivers and nearly 26,000 registered motorcycles. This is a Jacksonville community issue.

This petition is the first step of the Jacksonville Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Initiative. This is not about assigning automatic blame. It’s about consistency, transparency, accountability, education, and prevention.

Every motorcyclist deserves a thorough investigation. Every family deserves answers.

With gratitude,
Amber Stemple
Jacksonville Resident & Motorcycle Community Advocate
Founder, Unite with Dynamite