A Jacksonville motorcyclist and his stepdaughter were hospitalized Sunday after a car pulled from a parking lot and struck their bike, throwing both riders onto a curb and underscoring growing safety concerns for motorcyclists in the region.

Darcell, who has ridden for eight years and asked that only his first name be used, said he and the 14-year-old were traveling “maybe 12 miles an hour” after a group ride when a car emerged from a parking space. He said he and the driver made eye contact, but the vehicle accelerated and cut into their path.

“I thought she was stopping, then I realized she wasn’t. I tried to brake, but bikes don’t stop fast enough,” Darcell said. “There was no avoiding it.”

Both were taken to the hospital. Darcell said he suffered a broken ankle and multiple abrasion

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