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For Wayanne Thompson, the thrill of motorcycle stunt riding comes second to one thing -- safety. While the client service representative spends her weekends mastering jaw-dropping moves like wheelies and drifts, she insists that full protective gear is always part of the ride.

"People say, 'Even with a helmet, you can die,' and, yes, but there is also the chance the helmet will save your life," Thompson told THE STAR.

Motorcycle helmets are a critical component of rider safety, significantly reducing the risk of head injuries and fatalities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States of America reports that helmet use reduces the risk of head injury by 69 per cent, and the risk of death by 42 per cent.

With motorcyclists being among the most vulnerable road users in Jamaica, the National Road Safety Council has stressed the need for drivers to take the necessary precaution when handling their rides. It is a message that has got through to persons like Thompson.

"I trust myself and my riding because I know what I'm doing," she says.

That trust, she says, is built on discipline, awareness, and never skipping her safety checks -- or her gear. Helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and a protective vest are standard for her rides, especially when on her thrill-seeking adventures.

"Being cautious is what makes me comfortable," she said.

Thompson, who has been riding since 2018, is one of Jamaica's few female motorcycle stunt riders -- a rare sight in a male-dominated space. She fell in love with motorcycles long before she got on one.

"Maybe I saw it on TV or somewhere growing up, but that feeling was always there inside me, like a spark waiting to be lit," she recalled. That spark turned into action when she learned to ride on a powerful Suzuki 600. Just as she was getting into gear, she paused to welcome her first child, stepping away from the bike during her pregnancy.

But, by 2020, she was back in the saddle -- this time more focused than ever.

"I do think about how my daughter sees me," Thompson said. "I want her to see me as someone who rides responsibly, a role model who values safety first. I want her to know that enjoying the ride doesn't mean taking unnecessary risks, and that being careful is part of being strong and smart on the road."

Determined to improve her technique, Thompson began training with fellow stunt rider Meish Stunts. "I'm trying everything now -- wheelies, drifts -- but I want to perfect what I'm working on before I move on to the next challenge," she said.

While nailing a new trick comes with an adrenaline high, Thompson says it's the gear that allows her to push boundaries with confidence.

"There's this rush, like a mixture of excitement and relief. It feels good, like all the practice and focus paid off. It's a feeling that's hard to beat."

Even though her stunts draw attention -- heads turn, pedestrians pause, cars slow down -- Thompson insists it's not about showing off.

"It's about mastering the craft. I want to be good at what I do, but I also want people to see that it's possible to ride smart and strong at the same time."

Riding in Jamaica, she said, comes with serious risks -- and bikers often get the short end of the stick.

"I'm really concerned about the number of fatalities. It feels like motorists don't consider bikers at all. And, too often, people assume that, if you're on a bike, you're up to no good."

But Thompson is here to change that narrative -- one safe ride at a time.

"I know, every time I ride, I'm not just doing it for me. I'm proving that you can love the road and still respect it, and that you can ride smart, for yourself and the people waiting for you at home."