From RCIPS

On Sunday, 3 December around 1PM, police officers from several departments, including the NPD and Traffic departments, as well as the Aerial Operations Unit, helped facilitate a safe and legal off-road motorbike gathering in the Industrial Park area of George Town. Officers set up a road block along Sparky Drive in the vicinity of Progressive Distributors, and ensured that all off-road bikes arrived and left the area legally, either on a trailer, pick-up truck or other vehicle. No public traffic entered the area, and the motorbikers rode their bikes on both a paved surface and off-road without incident until 6PM, when the participants departed.

About ten riders, as well as several onlookers, came to the gathering. The riders indicated to the officers that more riders were expected, however, it may have been difficult for some of them to locate legal transport for the bikes.

This facilitated event grew out of dialogue that began last week between police and members of the motorbike community that expressed a desire to find safe and legal ways to ride their off-road bikes.

“This event is a small step in the right direction,” said Derek Byrne, Commissioner of Police, “and is part of a multi-pronged approach that will take some time to bring about a change in behaviour and resolve the overall problem. It is clear to me that there are riders who will take the opportunity to ride safely and legally, while others will not. We will continue our dialogue with the biking community, but also enforce the law for those who insist on riding illegally and endangering themselves and others on the road. To this end, we need as much information as possible from the public that helps us identify rogue bikers and locate illegal bikes.”

Two pictures from Sunday’s gathering are attached.