Bermuda’s bike laws - don’t punish responsible riders
Date Posted: Friday, March 14, 2008Author: Pastor Maria Seaman
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We live in a very reactive society. This is very dangerous, because it sets up a situation where we institute laws because of something that happened, rather than make laws, which would prevent those things from happening in the first place. Mind you, man-made laws can only go so far in stopping the negative actions of a person. It is God’s laws, which will cause one to continuously operate in a manner, which will always seek to cause good to unfold, for oneself and for everybody else.
Two weeks ago, Bermuda experienced two tragic deaths. Certainly, our hearts are heavy and saddened to know that families are in deep sorrow. What immense pain it must be to lose a life, which was full of wonderful potential just waiting to be realized. (Families, we are yet praying for you.)
Now here is the reaction from the Road Safety Council. There is now the possibility of new riders being prevented from towing someone for two years. I am trying to understand why the entire group of new bike owners, must now be penalized for the choices of a small percentage of riders (usually males). Is this fair? I might have said nothing if this possible new law, were already in motion. However, I strongly feel that once again, we are punishing the majority, for the lack of care by the minority, and that this is a present reaction, rather than a plan that has been well-thought out for a period of time.
I believe many of our school-age teenagers take the course known as Project Ride. These students show commitment and responsibility by doing so. They are excited to know that they are about to experience the Bermuda rite of passage, in being able to ride a 50CC motorcycle.
Not every teen will get a bike and so it is comforting for them to know that they can buy a helmet, and be able to enjoy a “lift” to school, to work or wherever. These students (for the most part) are well-behaved and up to handling the responsibility of bike ownership.
Why add another stipulation to their season of “freedom”? As a parent of such a teen, I am not thrilled that my daughter desires a bike. She does Project Ride and practically every day, we have a discussion about the riding habits of Bermuda’s youth. Each time, we see a rider do something “crazy”, I immediately make it a moment of discussion, and a time to see where her head is at with regards to such matters. Consequently, I have confidence in her ability to handle the weight of freedom and accountability that comes with bike ownership.
Of course, being a real Bermuda-Mama, the threats have already been lined up, and she knows that we will carry them through. At the end of the day, we must trust that we have trained her up well and talked to her continuously about responsibility and know it is time for her own personal test. Will this be a moment of growth? Or will this be a moment of understanding that the teen is just not ready for a bike yet?
Bermuda’s youth are vulnerable, and we must use caution. At the same time we must not react and cause consequences for all, because of the mistakes of a few. Let us stop punishing the choir (the ones who will do right anyway) because of the actions in the pew (those that will break the law no matter what).