Cabinet gives green light to lifting restrictions on large motorcycles
It was on July 16, 2019, during the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA), that Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) gave a clear indication of his intention to lobby for the increase of motorcycles from 125cc to 600cc.
CC in motorcycles/scooters stands for Cubic Centimeter capacity of combustion cylinder, which denotes the power in the engine. The more the CC, the more power of the bikes.
125cc is the legal limit for motorcycles in the territory.
Cabinet gives the go ahead under conditions
During a meeting of Cabinet on November 29, 2019, it was decided that the Minister of Finance may vary the import and export restrictions on 125 cc engine size limit on motorcycles and their parts pursuant to the Customs Management and Duties Act, 2010, section 85(3)(a).
Cabinet also agreed that the Minister for Finance would only allow increased engine sizes for motorcycles providing that a number of conditions are met. This includes the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licensing mechanism for motor cycles be revamped to impose a three-prong licensing regime; Basic Training (make existing programme compulsory for every motor cycle rider); Theoretical Testing; Full Rider Testing; Minimum age limit for larger cc engine sizes; and minimum riding experience for larger cc engine sizes.
Competence & safety
Cabinet also agreed that the importation and sale of all motorcycles is only permitted to dealers authorised by the Government of the Virgin Islands and that any persons desirous of importing a motorcycle to the Territory must obtain a certificate from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Cabinet also noted that revamping the existing licensing mechanism for motor cycles will ensure that all riders would have demonstrated their competence and safe level of riding on public roadways by age and experience; and he/she would have received instructions in operations, maintenance, emergencies, defensive riding, judgement, and use of safety equipment from a DMV approved programme.
Meanwhile, Hon Rymer, back in October, had said a draft bill was in circulation and would soon hit the cabinet level seeking to grant motorcyclists their wishes.
“Mr Speaker, I am pleased to report that a draft Cabinet Paper is in circulation and will be presented to Cabinet shortly, seeking approval for the official drafting of the amendment to the relevant legislation.”
'Safer roads & education first'- CoP Matthews
It was in May 2019 that Commissioner of Police, Michael B. Matthews expressed that Government should make roads safer and ensure education takes place before legalising the introduction of larger CC motorcycles in the territory.
“If we are going to do this, and that’s a matter completely for the House of Assembly to decide, but if we are going to do this, my advice is first and foremost we have to have safer roads. This means they have got to be looked after better, because we still have some major challenges there.”
Commissioner Matthews said he is aware Government has a plan in place to start repairing roads and this should be executed before introducing larger bikes on the roads.
“Let’s get the roads safe then let’s get a comprehensive educational programme together with the upgrading of motorcycles," he had said.
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32 Responses to “Cabinet gives green light to lifting restrictions on large motorcycles”
stop judge n make noise its a good move. just make it legal to 26 n over.
those ages tend to be more mature n value lidcde
your girl child going be on them fu
I'm baffled by this decision. The negatives FAR outweigh the minor positives (if any). Very strange decision.
They won't be around to re-elect you all!!!