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Scooter ban extended to further 3 weeks

- new regulation expires July 16, 2020
The 3-week scooter ban put in place by Government on June 4, 2020, has been extended for a further 3 weeks, according to information published in the Government of the Virgin Islands Official Gazatte on June 25, 2020. Photo: Los Angeles Times/File
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) had previously clarified that the ban on motorcycles does not apply to any resident who works in the essential services areas, along with security guards employed by a private security service provider, Customs and Immigration officers among others. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) had previously clarified that the ban on motorcycles does not apply to any resident who works in the essential services areas, along with security guards employed by a private security service provider, Customs and Immigration officers among others. Photo: VINO/File
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) attend to a motor scooter rider injured in an accident at Manchester, Tortola, on June 14, 2020. Photo: Team of Reporters
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) attend to a motor scooter rider injured in an accident at Manchester, Tortola, on June 14, 2020. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The 3-week scooter ban put in place by Government on June 4, 2020, has been extended for a further 3 weeks, according to information published in the Government of the Virgin Islands Official Gazatte on June 25, 2020.

The extension was signed the same day Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) called on scooter riders in the Virgin Islands to comply with the road safety guidelines because their lives matter.

“We are seeing an increase in scooter accidents, and riders are not wearing safety gears and riding safely on the road. I am urging scooter riders to practice safety on the Territory’s roads,” Premier Fahie said in a statement on June 24, 2020.

Additionally, Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) said during a live forum on Facebook on June 10, 2020, that there have been more than 60 accidents involving motor scooters for the year, adding, that of June 10, 2020, there were already some 66 accidents involving motor scooters and that there were some 107 accidents involving motor scooters in 2019.

New regulation expires June 16, 2020

According to the Road Traffic (Restriction of Use of Motor Cycle) (No. 2) Regulations, 2020, signed by Transportation Minister, Hon Rymer (R5) on June 24, 2020, “No person shall, between the hours of 5:00 pm to 5:00 am daily, drive a motor cycle on any road. 4. A person who contravenes regulation 3 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding three thousand dollars. 5. These Regulations shall not apply to a person specified in the Schedule while he or she is traveling to, or from, work.”

The Regulations, which apply to motor scooters, motorbikes and 3-wheeled vehicles in the Territory, shall cease to apply on July 16, 2020.

Apart from the recklessness exhibited mostly by young scooter riders in the Territory, residents have continuously complained about the noise nuisance especially at nights.

26 Responses to “Scooter ban extended to further 3 weeks”

  • Big Slick Willie (26/06/2020, 11:57) Like (42) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ahhhh. A bit more peace at night.
    • Hmm (26/06/2020, 12:36) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
      Leave the ban on they annoying when night come especially when them passing East to go race beef island
  • wow (26/06/2020, 12:14) Like (13) Dislike (23) Reply
    Ban right hand drive cars!
    • Caribbean man (26/06/2020, 12:44) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
      LOL LOL Do you realize in America they drive Left Hand Vehicles on the Right Side of the road? So we in the Caribbean that drive on the Left side of the road isn't only right that we drive Right hand Vehicles LOL You sound so silly sir/miss saying "Ban right hand cars" LOL LOL.
    • Agree (26/06/2020, 14:56) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
      The down island vehicles
    • Hmmm (26/06/2020, 15:31) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
      Incase you didn't know. Right hand vehicle are designed to be driven on our roads. Go educate yourself.
  • A rider/driver (26/06/2020, 12:21) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    Tbh this pointless they moving like having bike insurance or licensing the bike going stop people from cutting off bike riders... i will admit some of us ride carelessly but peter should not pay for paul and another thing to the only problem i really see with these bikes is the loudness it is annoying and yes i am a bike rider by heart i aint on their side with this one here keep ya bikes quiet!!!... what the gov need target on is them right hand drives who be in the middle of the road on a daily baisis and prob just enforce helmets but at the end of the day it’s our life our decisions accidents do happen... bigger issues in the bvi than just us bike riders why the spot light on us so much all of a sudden??? Cars immune to accidents mon...
  • Tola Man (26/06/2020, 12:24) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Just need to get a timeframe when you can ride your bikes
  • yess (26/06/2020, 12:37) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
    Deport the ones that not from here send them back down the island if they pass the curfew
  • former pilot (26/06/2020, 13:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Simple because of the ignorance of those who have the law in their hands and what modern cyclists do not want to respect the others who use the roads first
  • Here we go again (26/06/2020, 13:37) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    We are still trying young people. Do your part to get regulated it's easy and free except a small fee insurance wise to protect your self. I also want those in charge to go a bit further. Some folks are scared because they have educational challenges but are very skillful. How will you help them without exposing their short coming.
  • election (26/06/2020, 13:55) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Ndp all the way
  • Allison (26/06/2020, 14:36) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    That boy in the ghetto selling parts need to be arrested
  • Curfew (26/06/2020, 14:47) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    And what about the stupid 12 to 5 curfew. Hurry up come election
  • Rubber Duck (26/06/2020, 14:52) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dirty. Dangerous. Disturbing. Deadly. Well done so far Mr Rymer. You see how popular the ban is. Now make it permanent.
  • tzrtrzrzr (26/06/2020, 15:52) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you!!!
  • u (26/06/2020, 15:56) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    @@ election u which u better stopped down and hang up hat u will be able to reach it
  • Miroljubliana (26/06/2020, 16:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you!!!
  • Dancing in the sunshine (26/06/2020, 16:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am not advocating a ban on scooter riders, however, I would like to see the riders ride their bikes responsibly. I was a rider of bikes many years ago and I did not display any of the bad habits that these rider displaying. First of all before I started to ride a motor bike I had to go to the police station in my country and applied for a learners permit to ride my bike. That would have cost me ten dollars. Following that I had to display a L sign on my bike in the front and the rear of the bike. Then I would be thought the Road Ordinance and safe use of the road. Because a bike is a vehicle like any other vehicle.

    Having been a learners for three months I returned to the police station to make an appointment with the certifying officer for a road test. Then I would proceed to own a motor bike drivers license. What I am seeing here is anyone who can sit on a scooter can ride on the road and many of them have no clue of the safe use of the road. Many of the riders use the road without any consideration, courtesy, carefulness and commonsense. Riding and over taking vehicles whether they have the clearance to do so. Some of them passing between vehicles and overtaking around turns and the list goes on.

    I would recommend that the Department of Motor Vehicle conducts seminar or seminars for the scooter riders as well as other road users regularly in order to make our roads safer. I would love to see many of these scooter riders to be around for a long time and I wish that they will be more responsible on the road.
  • I SAY (26/06/2020, 17:16) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    BAN THEM TIL THEY LEARN SENSE AND THEN PUT CALLWOOD IN CHARGE OF THAT ASSIGNMENT
  • trust (26/06/2020, 22:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So why they held a meeting with bikers some nights ago that’s crazy while we was on lockdown bikes was still on the road why when curfew is midnight ayo want ban bikes after 5pm jus saying that DONT make sense something ain’t adding up jus saying don’t shoot the messenger
  • tola (27/06/2020, 03:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank God
  • Martial Law (27/06/2020, 08:17) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    I just wan know why we on curfew???? The 5-12 one.. no cases but yet corona coming out 12am now the government is trying to control us and people cant see that
  • In time to come (27/06/2020, 12:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    make this ban for good we can now sleep at night and hold conversations in our homes we work so hard for these reckless rides with no respect for lives ban them now
  • Quiet Nights (27/06/2020, 19:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Make it illegal for the bike riders to use the noisy mufflers.

    Police need to actually drive out every now and then if they are going to be in a position to enforce road safety laws.
  • police (28/06/2020, 12:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to police our selves.


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