Matthew Benavidez hit an SUV while driving his motorcycle Nov. 7, 2020. He was pronounced dead on site.
Benavidez doesn’t remember any of it.
Now, nearly six years later, the 30-year-old UF Health patient care technician strives to “embrace the fight.” The day of the crash will forever be the best day of his life, he said, because it changed his perspective.
“I found out what I could go through,” Benavidez said. “I found I haven’t found my limit yet.”
More than 6,000 motorcycle crashes have been reported
More than 6,000 motorcycle crashes have been reported so far this year in Florida. Those incidents aren’t uncommon at UF.
Since 2025, the UF Police Department has reported 29 scooter and motorcycle accidents on and around campus.
Most recently, the Florida Highway Patrol reported the death of a 31-year-old Gainesville man Oct. 20.
Benavidez’s mom and stepdad gifted him his first
Benavidez’s mom and stepdad gifted him his first motorcycle at 21. Riding it was freeing, he said, like “wind therapy.”
“You can’t really explain it, but you get to just be by yourself with the wind [and] your thoughts,” he said. “It’s very magical.”
But Benavidez said it’s important for motorcyclists to be aware of their surroundings because car drivers tend to overlook them.
Benavidez advises drivers to dress for the slide,
Benavidez advises drivers to “dress for the slide, not the ride,” wearing close-toed shoes, jeans and a long-sleeved shirt.
On campus, Benavidez said drivers can be impatient, and it’s vital to pay attention and change lanes safely.
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“Be the smartest person on the road at all times,’’ he said.
Vee Brown, the co-owner and operations manager
Vee Brown, the co-owner and operations manager of Gainesville Motorcycle Safety Training School, said too many students ride with improper gear and double up on scooters only meant to carry one rider, causing grave safety concerns.
“A motorcycle is not a toy,” she said. “That’s a lot of power that’s in your hands.”
Brown runs the business with her husband, Kenneth. Started by Lasso County Sheriff Department deputies, the school specializes in two-wheel, three-wheel and scooter endorsements, a requirement needed to legally ride most motorcycles in Florida.
The school’s goal is to provide a top
The school’s goal is to provide a top motorcycle training experience while helping students obtain state certification.
Many of the training school’s coaches are active deputies who have worked on the motorcycle unit for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office or the Gainesville Police Department, she said.
“We want everyone to ride safe and to make it home,” she said.
Starting in 2027, Gainesville Motorcycle Safety Training School will partner with UF and Santa Fe College to teach students how to properly ride scooters and offer discounted motorcycle certifications.
UF and the Florida Department of Transportation held
UF and the Florida Department of Transportation held a pedestrian, scooter and bicycle safety eventAug. 31, with attendees like UF President Stuart Bell and UFPD Chief of Police Bart Knowles helping educate students on road safety while on campus.
According to UFPD traffic safety officer Frank Zyskowski, riding a motorcycle has certain safety precautions that differ from being in a car including balance, coordination and surrounding awareness.
At UF, he said there are more crashes during peak weekday hours when there is more traffic on campus.
Typically, UFPD encounters more crashes with 50cc scooters than motorcycles because they are more commonly used. These scooters can be driven with a regular Class E driver’s license, Zyskowski said.
Roadway conditions like potholes, uneven pavement, sand
Roadway conditions like potholes, uneven pavement, sand and oil make riding more hazardous, Zyskowski said, making safety precautions even more important.
Riders should examine their motorcycle’s tire condition, air pressure, brakes, chains, lighting, fluid and fuel before getting on their bike, Zyskowski said.
To operate a motorcycle properly, it must be maintained, he said.
Last year, there were 4,879 crashes of all types in Alachua County alone, contributing to the 367,723 overall crashes in Florida.
FDOT prioritizes roadway safety through public education
FDOT prioritizes roadway safety through public education and outreach programs like Target Zero, a campaign dedicated to creating zero fatalities.
Jacob Pickering, an FDOT spokesperson, said motorcycles are harder to see on the road than passenger vehicles like cars, so drivers need to pay extra attention to motorcycles before changing lanes and making turns.
Because riders have less metal between them and the road, Pickering stressed the importance of wearing helmets. It’s both vital for safety and required under Florida law for everyone under 21.
Wearing leather is also important because it serves
Wearing leather is also important because it serves as a second skin, easing friction, chemical and thermal burns riders may encounter on their bike. Cordura-based outerwear offers a vegan alternative.
“If you’re on that motorcycle, you have to know that that has to be 110% of your focus, making sure you get to your destination safely,” he said.
Contact Alana Nguyen atanguyen@alligator.org. Follow her on X at @Alana_Nguyen12.
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Alana Nguyen is a first-year journalism major at the University of Florida. She is a General Assignment writer for The Alligator. When she’s not writing, she enjoys running and reading travel magazines.
