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'This too must stop!'- Health Minister chides noisy bikers

A number of seized motor scooters in the compound of the Road Town Police Station. The issue of noise pollution from bikers has been brought to the forefront again by members of the community. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) has chided noisy bikers, calling for a halt of the often unbearable noise pollution in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook/File
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) has chided noisy bikers, calling for a halt of the often unbearable noise pollution in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) has chided noisy bikers, calling for a halt of the often unbearable noise pollution in the Virgin Islands.

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.

41 Responses to “'This too must stop!'- Health Minister chides noisy bikers ”

  • one eye (18/08/2020, 09:49) Like (3) Dislike (92) Reply
    they always against the young people
    • What!! (18/08/2020, 10:40) Like (86) Dislike (1) Reply
      No , just against anti social IDIOTS who think it is OK to disturb people all hours of the day and night.
    • No one eye (18/08/2020, 11:23) Like (47) Dislike (1) Reply
      We are tied of the young people with the constant lack of respect. We are tired of the young people not learning to respect themselves and reeking havoc .
    • Greg (18/08/2020, 14:32) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
      Where are your parents? Do they have ears? Can they not hear this disrespectful noise late at night? Mr. Malone, we the people need and deserve our sleep at night! If you lived in any of these areas, you would be LIVID and would have police stopping this. Why can’t we get the same respect?7 We live, work and pay taxes, don’t we deserve some consideration knowing we should have a peaceful nights sleep?
  • tola (18/08/2020, 09:53) Like (50) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes they annoying gezzz cant sleep when night come strupes
  • Bike curfew (18/08/2020, 10:02) Like (37) Dislike (2) Reply
    Reads like it is time to resume the daily 5pm to 5am motor bike curfew in the BVI.
    • Would love it (18/08/2020, 16:59) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      I would be happy if they resume the bike curfew. You parents need to talk to your sons about disturbing people out of their sleep with those loud bikes.
  • I am asking (18/08/2020, 10:06) Like (49) Dislike (1) Reply
    I as a citizen, don’t care if you are a bike or scooter rider, but have some respect for others around you. I am tired of being disturbed out of my sleep all hours of the night due to the loud noise from the bikes, I am tired of having to hit my brakes just to avoid crashing into a bike when the rider comes out of nowhere.
  • Outlaws (18/08/2020, 10:10) Like (63) Dislike (1) Reply
    Some of those scooter riders are too darn willful. You see them ever single day riding around recklessly without helmet...they cut across you in traffic, run stop lights. And please don't act like you don't see them because the residents have been complaining for TOO LONG, but the government and police turned a blind eye. They were quick to drop 7% tax on money transfers , so why not drop 7% fees in the noisy reckless riders?
  • ENFORCE THE RULES (18/08/2020, 10:16) Like (28) Dislike (11) Reply
    The BVI has turned into a lawless society. NOW SUPPORT NO VOTES! VIP fix the issues..
  • Jackie (18/08/2020, 10:24) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am keeping it real, as a voter, Mr. Kye Rhymer you are responsible and blamed for the problems with the bike riders disturbing us out of our sleep. Mr. Kye Rhymer, just like you want to have a good night’s sleep after a hards day work, we the working class would like to do the same. How would you like it if someone put a speaker with loud base in front of your home every night and blast music all night. Think about that. If you don’t figure out a way to correct this problem, there is no way I will support you and waste my vote come next election and encourage others to do the same.
    • @Jackie (18/08/2020, 11:24) Like (8) Dislike (10) Reply
      Now let me keep it real with you. The law is clear what bikes are allowed on the public road and in what condition and how. These bikes issues have been allowed to happen for the last 7 years. It is NOT Hon. Kyes fault but rather the fault of the POLICE force and their waste of time Commissioner of Police. He needs to go.
      • Listen (18/08/2020, 14:14) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
        Minister Rhymer has the power to work with the Police Department to come up with a solution to this problem. The blasted noise at nights disturbing people has to stop. Throw the darn curfew back on. The bikers have enough time during normal hours to ride.
      • lily (18/08/2020, 23:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        The Minister is a bike sympathizer. He is a scooter rider (although I’ve never seen him ride recklessly like these immature young men) and owned a scooter rental.

        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.
  • Attitude (18/08/2020, 11:47) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    So many (but by no means all) of the motorcyclists in the territory are examples of the distain in which they hold the police. With unlicensed, helmetless, riders on uninsured and unlicensed motorcycles and scooters, they act as if they are bullet-proof, and the police can or won't do nothing about them! I watched four quad bikes (unlicensable vehicles in the BVI) racing noisily through West End over the weekend. This is arrogance!
    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.
  • D7 (18/08/2020, 11:57) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    What the loud noise from the bars in Paraquita Bay. The bars start playing music from 12am to 12pm and on weekends its longer. Pari ppl nees sleep too.
  • Rubber Duck (18/08/2020, 13:42) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    The police know where the gangs are concentrated. Get off your asses and do something about this assault on people’s peace.
  • lmao (18/08/2020, 14:15) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    NDP was afraid to tackle this issue and now VIP also seem afraid to tackle this issue. Why is that?
  • Well (18/08/2020, 14:16) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    why must i pay the price for " paul" using his scooter in a reckless manner endangering the lives of others and himself.
    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.
    • Void (18/08/2020, 15:15) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
      Open the place so these guys could find something to do period no work they will find something to do
      • @Void (18/08/2020, 16:37) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
        Say wha?????????, even when the place was open, most of these guys was not trying to do anything to better themselves. No work? LOL. All I want is for someone to find a solution so we can enjoy a good night’s sleep. Is that to much to ask? We the law abiding hard working, tax paying citizens is getting SWIFT KICK IN OUR BEHINDS AND THE DAMN DISGUSTING LOUD BIKE RIDERS IS GETTING A PASS TO DISTURB OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.
  • I am begging you (18/08/2020, 14:28) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Please put a ban on these loud motorcycles at night. I am tired of loosing sleep at nights. I am tired of putting eye drops in my eyes at work to cover up my red tired eyes from the lack of sleep. I am sick and tired of the loud noise from the loud motorcycles at nights, I am F****ng tired.
  • shark (18/08/2020, 14:40) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    You cannot blame this on minister Kye Rhymer this problem existed from 8-10 yrs ago.We need stricter penalties this noise nuisance in the communities are affecting everybody.Some of these youths are blatantly disrespectful.its time to put a stricter ban on these scooters.
    • robocop (18/08/2020, 16:06) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      whats the point in stricter penalties and bans if the police cannot or will not enforce them? You could have the death penalty here for it and it would not make a difference as there is no risk of getting caught.

      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
  • vi (18/08/2020, 15:12) Like (1) Dislike (16) Reply
    Only one set get free free up the place open the country so I can find a job
  • rewrsdffds (18/08/2020, 16:33) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Do we not have a noise pollution act? this place is just lawless...want to do anything or get away with anything... park how ya want, drive how ya want, walk how ya want, dirty the place how ya want, sell food how ya want, put up tents how ya want, sell out the back of ya cars how ya wnat, hang out on people's building how ya want...then come on down to Tortola, Natures Little Secret in the British Virgin Islands
  • u (18/08/2020, 16:42) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Some time I wander why thay have to be so loud sometimes when thay pass I look like that leave the noise with you for real my God
  • look at that (18/08/2020, 16:45) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    These loud bikes is up and down disturbing us from a good nights sleep. After they finish disturbing us, when we are tired from a lack of sleep, we have to report to work while they report to mommy’s house to lay up and sleep all day.
  • old (18/08/2020, 16:54) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    To me. The only tlme we will sleep. From these bike. Is if you dead.
    • Wosh (18/08/2020, 22:13) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      Yea wish dead on ppl da shit goin come bck round nd u goin end up dead instead
  • down2earth (18/08/2020, 16:54) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    In CGB the noise from motor bikes is unbearable.

    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!
  • Enough already (18/08/2020, 18:04) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    There is a young man up Chalwell / Sage Mountain was has a dirt bike has a habit of riding up and down on a Sunday and in the evenings. A report was made and the police that showed up is an police that’s always by them drinking. All the neighbors did was shake their heads
  • guy hill (18/08/2020, 18:36) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Beware of the "Ignorant Lot".
  • Cut deep (18/08/2020, 21:26) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    The ONLY person those bikers will listen to is “Cut Deep” host. But she will never do it.
  • Don’t Worry (18/08/2020, 22:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    VIP will resolve this issue. What they are doing is giving the bikers a fair warning . This way when action is taking they the bikers can’t say different. I understand it’s been an issue for years but the issue have never been this prevalent in the news(atleast from what o can recall. I have faith this issue will be resolved very soon . Come VIP hear our cry and take action . Give us the voters a peace of sleep . “ peace of sleep” get it??!!!
  • trrefdrfds (18/08/2020, 22:23) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I told the Premier what to do already. The problem is the pipes, the guys are changing out the exhaust pipes and putting on bigger ones , the result is more noise. Those bikes do not come from the factory that way. Make the pipes illegal, if you want to ride them use the proper pipes. The stores that supply the parts make the pipes illegal and if the store owners continue to bring them in , hit them with some heavy fines .
  • No joke (19/08/2020, 10:53) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    When they pass u feel d noise all in your brain
  • Concerned (20/08/2020, 07:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The scooter problem will not go away unless it is addressed by the Police, Bike riders, Parents, Legislators and the general public. We all have a role to play to address those scooter riders who are bent on riding recklessly along with their noise pollution.

    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.
  • Pope Constantine (20/08/2020, 15:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Politicians are usually not the sharpest tools in the national shed.

    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


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