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Ban on scooters, bikes & 3-wheel vehicles from 5:00pm to 5:00am

- restriction to last for 3 weeks
For three weeks, the Virgin Islands will see a restriction on scooters, bikes and three-wheel vehicles during 5:00 pm to 5:00 am daily. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the decision to ban scooters, bikers and 3-wheel vehicles for a certain period is 'for the safety and convenience of the public,' including bikers. Photo: VINO/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the decision to ban scooters, bikers and 3-wheel vehicles for a certain period is 'for the safety and convenience of the public,' including bikers. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- For three weeks, the Virgin Islands will see a restriction on scooters, bikes and three-wheel vehicles during 5:00 pm to 5:00 am daily.

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said Cabinet has already given the ban its stamp of approval.

“In discussing regular matters, not COVID-19 related, Cabinet: approved the making of Regulation by the Minister in accordance Road Traffic Act, (CAP. 218), Section 56 to restrict the movement of three-wheel or less vehicles, which includes motorbikes and scooters, from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am,” Hon Fahie announced in a statement on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.

Safety first

The Premier said the decision was “for the safety and convenience of the public," including bikers.

He then said Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) will instruct the Attorney General to draft the required Regulation.

Noise a nuisance

Several calls, including that of former First Lady Mrs Lorna G. Smith OBE, have bemoaned the noise pollution that these types of vehicles make, particularly during the nighttime hours.

Her husband, former Premier Dr D. Orlando Smith, also voiced his concern over the issue in a Facebook post on May 11, 2020, informing riders that the altered mufflers can cost them their hearing ability permanently.

Despite this, the noise continues unabated in the Territory, including during the 7:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew.

Many persons have taken to social media to voice their concerns about the loud motor scooters and bikes being heard in some communities at nights.

It is left to be seen if the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) will make a greater effort to clamp down on the violators.

44 Responses to “Ban on scooters, bikes & 3-wheel vehicles from 5:00pm to 5:00am”

  • GG (04/06/2020, 08:56) Like (49) Dislike (24) Reply
    Hmmm. Something really needed to be done but this is to HARSH....I would have prefered to see a darkness ban from 7pm to 6am...Lot of these bikers use their bikes for work and finish work at 5 or little after... Give them enough time to stop after work do a little shopping then head to their homes....
    • reality (04/06/2020, 09:22) Like (37) Dislike (6) Reply
      Blame the few that are a public nuisance.......wheeling through traffic to show off, weaving in and out of traffic without due care, running red lights, etc. Motor cycles are too loud to begin with, and the noise travels far distances especially in the hills. Riders don't seem to care, and have gotten accustomed to the noise, so to them who wants to complain let them. As far as I'm concerned those types of transportation should be banned outright in the BVI.....PERIOD!!!
      • @reality (04/06/2020, 17:50) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
        Typical narrow-minded, MS.
        • hm (05/06/2020, 06:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          The good will suffer for the bad. That’s life. Now take your wide mind and ride... Hopefully you will just take yourself away from us, MS.
    • eyes (04/06/2020, 12:58) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
      All government needs to do have officers enforce the noise act and confiscate bikes that have alter the muffler because most young folks depend on the motor bike to get around that's all they have and can afford so government needs to just enforce the noise act .
    • @wow (04/06/2020, 13:13) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
      99 percent of scooter riders DO NOT WORK.
      • Observer (04/06/2020, 15:12) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
        So, in other words, only 1 % of scooter riders work? In your mind, not factual.
    • Safety 1st (07/06/2020, 11:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @wow, most of these riders dont work, some do, but the percent that do work, are they working between these hours, dont beat round the bush, these Atv/bikes/scooters are mostly for fun, ive lived it, they just make a whole heap of noise and endanger people, mostly dem selves, cause they either hit something or somethimg hit dem, then death, The people want a ban, check the comm3nts, how many people have to die before u wake up, Wow 4 Real
  • Hmm (04/06/2020, 09:10) Like (51) Dislike (2) Reply
    They need to ban ATVS from the public roads
    • @hmmm (04/06/2020, 11:19) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      I agree with you. The sound from the ATVs are louder than the scooters.
      • Hmm (04/06/2020, 12:56) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
        Not just the sound from the ATV but also, the way some of them take over the road and ride without care. The government really needed to crack down on them a while now. The reckless riders are not just endangering their lives but also the lives of other motorists and pedestrians.
  • wow (04/06/2020, 09:40) Like (45) Dislike (1) Reply
    Only 3 weeks? Just make it a month!! Sick of them all!
  • GG (04/06/2020, 10:06) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with you
  • What! (04/06/2020, 10:08) Like (7) Dislike (31) Reply
    The government crazy, what if this my only means of transportation? How can you ban it ? What if I only have a bike license? Now you forcing me to break the law because I have no other means of getting around ! Nobody picking up people in corona times. Come on ! Think !!!!
    • To What! (04/06/2020, 12:58) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      But a peddle bike
    • @wHAT (04/06/2020, 13:11) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hush, you had a chance to do the right thing. Dont come crying now.

    • @ what (04/06/2020, 14:19) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Peter pay for Paul and Paul pays for ALL. This is what it may boil down to and maybe even stricter than this after the 3 weeks. If you are indeed a bike rider and this is your only means of transportation, what part have you played with all the outcries from us who have been endlessly complaining to the/ your other bike family? Just asking, because I know you have seen and heard the foolishness that these bike riders carry on with. DID you encourage helmet wearing? Obeying traffic laws? Noise pollution? How many more of you have to die before you just do the right thing? Do you really think that they dropped this ban for absolutely no reason whatsoever.. Come on now! You do some thinking.
    • cha cha (04/06/2020, 15:19) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
      Rent a car.
      Take taxi.
      Pool with others
      Walk/run
      Should have made an effort to support the long suuffering sleep deprived and fear for lives motorists and pedestrians. Since your needs were being met,all others could suck salt. Selfishness has its rewards.
  • Rubber Duck (04/06/2020, 10:12) Like (42) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why do the police not enforce the law with theses scooters. Helmets, insurances, licenses, noise , dangerous driving all ignored by the cops. Will this be too ?
    • @Ruber Duck (04/06/2020, 14:21) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      Here is the reason. When the Police attempt to enforce the Law they are met with a lot of resistance. Most of these youths who ride these scooters are supported by Politicians, their parents, and other persons in the community whenever the Police intervene and are met with resistance and act according to what happens? You here where they from and they [the Police] are harassing youths. Now the Police are afraid to act for fear of losing their jobs. Enforcing any law here in the BVI is a headache. I think the Government has made the right decision.
    • Because (04/06/2020, 15:27) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      When they do there is interference by politicians, bishop and other godly criminal supporters, have lost job ,ridiculed and harassed. Other riders never once spoke up or supported the suffering who on a daily have been terrorized by their fellow bikers.
  • the rock (04/06/2020, 10:14) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good first move, second make mandatory to have the bikes muffler system stay as it was made from the factory, that will ease all the crazy noise we are expierencing, then they would not have a need for the curfew of them!
  • True (04/06/2020, 10:52) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    Perhpas if the Police did their job this wouldn't be needed, you know siple things like stopping people not wearing a helmet and taking their bike, stopping noisy machines and taking the bike, checking for license insurance and if none then take bike, this would then leave the proper bikes and riders on the road. This is a knee jerk reaction to a problem of their own making.
    • Remember (04/06/2020, 14:58) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      2 officers who loved doing what they did Their jobs and where are they today? Unemployed. Take heed officers leave these unruly local scooters riders to meet their demise!
  • enforcement (04/06/2020, 11:04) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is completely lacking in the BVI - lets start with checking for insurance, license, modifications, helmets, illegal drugs and guns they might carry etc
  • Big Slick Willie (04/06/2020, 11:05) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yep. Great step. And like businesses and bars, have them be inspected and registered. They are out of control and careless.
  • oh ho (04/06/2020, 11:38) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    them 4get to ban the atvees
  • LAC (04/06/2020, 12:15) Like (3) Dislike (12) Reply
    Fahie you letting the people down, think about cause and effect before you make such decisions, guess you want to turn people into criminals
    • Cause (04/06/2020, 15:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You made promises for votes.
    • Listen 2 yoself (07/06/2020, 11:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Lac where u live, tola is full of crooks, wake up,Omg, wipe the yampy out yo eye, how many unsolved murders and robbies, i guess these are not criminal offences, think before u speak,or dont speak at all, u make yo self look dumb.
  • reality (04/06/2020, 12:33) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Though I don't disagreed with most of what been said on the issue, the fact still remains that bikes are a form of transportation. The real issue here is a lack of traffic law enforcement rather than a restriction of what may be some people only form of transportation. While noise pollution remains a serious matter, mufflers that create noise are after market product that are not manufactured and sold with the bike. For example, car mufflers have restrictions by laws.. Why should we restrict the movement of bikes over the noise, when the real issues are the pipes and our inability to enforce laws surrounding loud mufflers
  • West Ender (04/06/2020, 12:44) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whoever thought of this... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
  • Nic name (04/06/2020, 12:57) Like (0) Dislike (21) Reply
    Y’all let me down big time y’all full of f$&; y’all help me with a ride to see my family? This is bull
  • Ghost (04/06/2020, 12:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a very tricky subject with many variables to look at. Unfortunately the ones being a nuisance is making it bad for the ones that are not .. now let look at this realistically..
    1. this could be a means of transportation for persons, even essential workers.. will concessions be made for this?
    2. In the face of this virus catching a ride/ taxi.. we like to say we are covid-free; I pray we are and remain this way, but do we really know?:. What we know is is that no one further has been tested positive but it doesn’t mean there are no cases for not all persons need to go to a hospital for treatment ..
    3. The idiots that don’t adhere to the laws and rules of the road And not caring about others and the effects of the noise .. not only making them
    A Nuisance, but also a risk to themselves and others when driving so recklessly for example..
    This ban in my opinion can save lives and prevent accidents/unwanted noise, but I feel that maybe from like 8pm and those That use the bikes as their means of transportation they need to adhere to the laws and rules of the road and if not give them some STIFF fines and make them an example to the others that want to do differently .. and those police officers need to do their job as well.. some of them too slack .. they see and turn a Blind eye..
  • JYD (04/06/2020, 13:14) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    THINK BACK BVI THESES SAME MOTORCYCLES CAUSE POLICE TO LOOSE THEM JOB THAT WHY POLICE WAS NOT SO HARSH AND AFTER THEM SO NOW A START TO GET THEM OFF THE ROAD I8S IN PLACE.
    BUT A START BACK AFTER THE THREE WEEKS WILL BE TO SEE THAT ALL RIDERS HAVE THE LICENCE INSURANCE AND HELMETS TO BE ON THE ROAD AND PAPERS OF OWNERSHIP
  • Diaspora (04/06/2020, 13:37) Like (2) Dislike (20) Reply

    Some bike riders are a nuisance to the community. They ride recklessly, disobey the rule of the roads, pose a hazard to other motorists, pedestrians and themselves; stress the medical system, burden their families, disrupts the quiet and enjoyment of the community……….etc. Moreover, some bike owners operate them reliably and responsibly only for transportation purposes. These riders needs should be considered.

    This 3-week moratorium limiting bike operation between 5 pm and 5 am is nonsense. Government needs to take strong actions to change the behaviour of these non-confirming, selfish , immature…….etc riders. These strong actions should include new practical and reasonable regulation, confiscation (for repeat offenders), fines, suspension of licenses, restitutions.......etc. Further, RVIFP must be judicious in the use of high speed chases. If they are not pursuing an alleged murderer, rapist….etc, it should use other measures to apprehend the alleged violators of the law. It should not put the community in further risk with unnecessary high speed chases.
  • life (04/06/2020, 14:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Banned for life period.
  • Observer (04/06/2020, 15:16) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    As a concerned employer, if scooter riders are disallowed from being on the roads after 5 p.m., how would the ones who finish work after 5 p.m. get home?
  • jerome (04/06/2020, 16:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    So I can ride my bike to work, but not from work? This was not well thought out. 7pm-5am would have made much more sense...smh.
  • Well (04/06/2020, 16:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    D discion was made by the right person so why involved d police officers to cut off their head case close
  • TWO-FACED PEOPLE (04/06/2020, 16:34) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is mind boggling that persons can post whatever they choose on their Social Media pages including bullying others, dancing to /singing music with the "N" word, the "B" word, the "ratchet" word; yet get offended when Gumption posted what A LOT OF PERSONS ACTUALLY feel and MORE THAN LIKELY SAY regarding the careless / reckless bike riders, without regard for their life OR anyone else's.

    I guarantee you this is not Gumption nor have I ever met him. From my recollection, he posts with his name on news sites.

    Set of hypocrites in this place.

    Today, I witnessed some bike riders (NONE WITHOUT HELMETS) run the stop light while one waited and tried to admonish the others.

    For those who conduct LEGITIMATE business on bikes, Government should first inspect the bikes for approved use; otherwise it is a step in the right direction. PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!
  • y (04/06/2020, 18:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well that will have to get rid of them thing under their seats before five no name no warrant
  • Nick name (05/06/2020, 07:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just make the legal age for driving motorbikes 21 years or older.
    The problem is clearly teenagers driving irresponsably. Just cut the problem clean to its cause. The problem are the teenagers driving, not the scooters.

    Other thing. Pass a law for immidiate confiscation of noisy motorbikes producing above a certain number of reasonable level of decibels


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