M.A.L.E & local bikers 284 Reverz 'Ride for Life'
The initiative held on Saturday, March 25, 2018, also came on the heels of one of the members of M.A.L.E. breaking his legs in an accident in February 2018.
Over 50 riders gathered at Port Purcell’s roundabout and made their way into Road Town and continued to Prospect Reef before culminating in the parking lot of Sunny Caribbee in Road Town, where a short ceremony took place, addressing topics of safety while riding and bike regulations.
Among the speakers at the ceremony was Mr McKenzie L. Baltimore Sr., Vice President of M.A.L.E., who expressed that the aim of the initiative is to “send a strong message” to riders to let them know how important it is for them to wear protective gears while they are riding.
“It’s not just about safety, it’s about riding with a purpose” – David D. Archer
Mr David D. Archer, Deputy Governor, stressed the importance of not just riding for fun but riding with a purpose, while noting that it is important for the older folks to “lead by example.”
He said, “It is important that when persons see 284 [Reverz] and other clubs riding, it represents something which is positive and it is important when you ride, you ride with your helmets. You might want to consider having a club which shows other things that you might have achieved. For example, on your helmet, you might have a star for a Bachelor’s Degree or mentoring someone, so that when people see the star the conversation with the younger ones is not just about riding bikes. It’s not just about safety. It’s about riding with a purpose. So I want to encourage not just the young ones who are here to ride safely but the older ones who are here to ride safely but also to ride with a purpose. It’s important that we support the young ones but we support them by leading by example.”
During and after the ceremony, persons were able to register their bicycles for $10 which lasts for a year and also scooter and motorcycle riders were able to renew or get a new license done on the spot.
Meanwhile, Director of Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Kye M. Rymer said his department took part in the ‘A Ride for Life’ initiative because they thought it was “important”, reiterating that road safety is very important for a rider because it can save individuals during an accident.
“We wanted to be here because we thought it was a very important initiative. I think that everybody’s lives are important and I need to reiterate road safety. I am an avid rider and I would encourage anybody else to pull on your helmet. That simple helmet can actually save your life from a collision or save you from any sort of head injuries and so forth. It’s not just the law but it also protects you when you are out there riding,” emphasised Mr Rymer.
“Operating a motorcycle takes different skills than driving a car” - Kennedy D. J. Emmanuel
Kennedy D. J. Emmanuel, President of 284 Reverz, pointed out during the ceremony that the safety of motorcycle riding should be “top priority”, adding that riding a motorcycle is different from driving a car.
He explained, “Motorcycle riding safety should be of top priority. Operating a motorcycle takes different skills than driving a car. However, the laws of the road apply to every driver and let’s not forget the pedestrians. A combination of consistent education, regard for traffic laws and basic common sense can go a long way to reduce the amount of fatalities involved in motorcycle accidents on a daily and annual basis.”
In addition, Mr Emmanuel listed a few safety tips, such as checking tires and oil, test front and rear brakes, test the horn and always wear protective gears like a helmet, reflective jackets, and boots. “Be aware, alert and ride sober,” he said.
One of M.A.L.E.’s very own mentee, Omari A. Simmons encouraged his fellow youths to wear proper helmets when riding. He said, “The life that you save may be your very own.”
“Let’s us not criminalise the young people” - Michael B. Matthews
Commissioner of Police (CoP), Michael B. Matthews, urged persons to “educate and encourage” young people rather than “criminalising” them, while emphasising that the job of the police is not to cease persons bike but to ensure that they stay safe while riding on the road.
“Let’s us not criminalise the young people. Let’s us try to educate and encourage young people and today is a really powerful message. Some men were frightened to come along today because they thought the police were going to trap them and take their bikes. This isn’t about taking your bikes away. This is about making you safe on your bikes. To the young people that didn’t come today, whatever your reason was you have nothing to fear from the police. My job is not to start ceasing bikes. I don’t want to stop you from having fun. I do not want to take your livelihood away. I want you to be safe. I want you to be legal,” while adding that this event should be the first of many more to come.
“Look out for your children” – Joseph A. Chapman
Joseph A. Chapman, father of Jo-vahn A. Chapman who died in a motorcycle accident, expressed that his son lost his life at the age of 17 years in a motorcycle accident in December 31, 2013, while indicating that he was unaware that his son rode a scooter as he did not approve of him riding one.
Furthermore, he called on parents to “look out for their children” especially if they are riding a scooter to ensure that they are wearing the proper protective gear. He said, “I am happy to see so many young persons come out to learn from this programme.”
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planted years ago has finally borne fruit. ...to God be the glory.
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