'This too must stop!'- Health Minister chides noisy bikers
In a COVID-19 update to the Territory on Monday, August 17, 2020, Hon Malone said: “Concerns are also expressed of the extreme loud noise and irresponsible usage of motor bikes throughout the Territory.”
He added: “This too must stop; license your bikes; wear your helmets; stop the loud noise; observe traffic laws; safe riding saves lives.”
Increased calls
Hon Malone’s call comes amid increased complaints from members of the community on social media. Persons have been urging Government to intervene into the matter of noise pollution by bikers, particularly at nights.
Some say the noise pollution has affected their families, including babies who would wake up from their sleep startled by the noise.
A recent blogger, Sophia Brewley-Massiah recently wrote on the community board one day ago: “Dear Government especially Mr [Kye] Rymer, when you are in your pajammies and tuck in bed, the good citizens of Lower Estate are left with the constant noise of motorcycles in our head. I have one thing to say, and I ain't making no joke, if I can’t get no peace, you can’t get my vote.”
“Same problem on Virgin Gorda,” someone named Candy Gary Cooke wrote beneath the blog.
“Same thing at Fort Hill. Cant sleep since the curfew come off,” another blogger named Leona Duncan said, calling for the return of the curfew on the bikes during the night time hours.
Government had recently placed a ban on motorcycles throughout the night, but while there was reported success, several sections of society did not agree, and the Government received backlash for it.
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41 Responses to “'This too must stop!'- Health Minister chides noisy bikers ”
It starts with fixing the draconian laws on the books so that scooter riders are heavily penalized when they commit infractions. These jokey fines and slap on the wrists do will not deter this silly behavior. Update the LAWS and let the cops ENFORCE.
At the same time, the Minister needs to look in his own house too, get the police into action. The boat races at West End two weeks ago were a magnet for bikers... Where were the police? If the police didn't know this, something is wrong.
Likewise, licensed vendors of scooters and motorcycles ought to be precluded from delivering their products to anyone not producing a personal drivers license endorsed for motorcycles, paid insurance for a year, and a corresponding set of number plates with receipt.
Is da weekend u vex u cant ride
am an avid motorbike rider but i wear full gear and abide with the laws. 125cc bikes are more dangerious than 500 or 300cc simply because they dont have the kind off horsepower and torgue to overtake safely on highway.
thgis is why in the usa 125cc biikes are ban . US transportation and safety has this on their books.
Bikes dont kill people ,people kill themself.
we the older folks cant even enjoy a nice cruiser bikes on island because of lack of police enforcement.
Just need to have a few weeks of setting up random checkpoints for all vehicles, any scooters/bikes/cars that are unlicensed, uninsured or where the riders do not have proper protective equipment get immediately seized and crushed. No excuses.
Maybe punish the parents too where the riders are minors. People will soon get with the program when they have a genuine risk of being caught for their dangerous antics
Say one, say two. Presently, there are two businesses that seem to be under the impression that CGB's general population want to hear their loud music. Well, many of us do not! Before COVID-19 many visitors relocated to quieter villages because of the loud music. FACT
To the DJs - be responsible. Turn down your music, stop using profanity ... children live in the village! Accept the fact that this is a residential area and respect the residents.
Government, it's past time you dust off the Noise Abatement Act. We too darn lawless in this place!
Some concerning issues:
Noise Abatement Act inadequate (no noise zones or meters)
No Chase legislation for the police to enforce
No distinct bike legislation needs to be included in the Road Traffic Act
Fines and penalties needed to help prevent misuse
No age limit.
Poor Police intervention
Solutions:
fix or implement the above
rigorous enforcement from the police
8 pm-6 am curfew
Age limits 21 and over
Road Safety and training before granting of licences
stiff fines for noise or altering pipes
Heavy insurance and license fees ($1,500.00 per year)
I am sure there are others that can be added.
Your government ministers are a part of the regime which is rewarding the MOST INDISCIPLINED vehicular element in the territory with INCREASED ACCESS to more POWERFUL and NOISY bikes with which to reinforce their contempt for civility , society and Law. ALL THIS WHILE having to ban the same bikers from disrupting civil society after midnight.
This is tantamount to madness .
Only in the BVI.
WHILE Recognizing the problem, hearing the noise, observing the idle dominating the use of these bikes, seeing them with their infant offspring paraded on the handlebars ( of course without helmets ), betting on them breaking every red light on approach, ..... politicians STILL reward them with MORE.....And now pleading for cooperation and consideration . The bikers MUST be the mob or shadow government ......
There must be Sargassum build up behind the admin complex - the scientists DID warn about off-gassing