This year’s 11th Ride of the Century motorcycle event got off to a tragic start when two participants were killed in separate motorcycle accidents that occurred over the Labor Day weekend. While both St. Louis motorcycle accidents involved Ride of the Century participants, neither crash occurred during Ride events.

• A St. Charles motorcyclist died Saturday morning when he ran a red light and was struck by a car near Mid Rivers Mall. The young man was ejected from his motorcycle and died at the scene.
• In a southwest St. Louis motorcycle accident Saturday evening, a motorcyclist died after clipping the side-view mirror of an unmarked police car. Losing control of his bike, the rider veered off the roadway and crashed into a pole. Police said the motorcyclist had been speeding and riding on both sides of the street.

Attracting thousands of stunt riders from across the country, the annual Ride of the Century is sponsored by a St. Louis stunt motorcycle team known as Streetfighterz.

During last year’s Ride, St. Louis police said motorists complained about bikers performing dangerous stunts on city streets, including running red lights, driving on sidewalks and driving on the wrong side of the road.

While the expert St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers at Hoffman & Gelfman recognize that inattentive and careless vehicle drivers frequently put motorcyclists at risk, St. Louis motorcyclists also have a responsibility to protect their own safety by obeying the rules of the road.