Statement by Owen Darrell, Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport:

I want to start with something simple: the law you will hear about today is not new. The Auxiliary Bicycles Act has governed two- and three-wheeled motorized vehicles on Bermuda’s roads since 1954 and, as written, has always applied to electrically propelled machines.

What is changing, starting today, is that Government is drawing a clear, public line under that law . . . telling every e-bike owner in Bermuda exactly what is required, giving them a fair and well-supported window to meet those requirements, and making sure that window has a firm end date.

Why now? Because the number of e-bikes on our roads has grown far faster than most of us expected, and the consequences of that growth are no longer hypothetical.

This year, we have seen reports of a young rider travelling at more than twice the posted speed limit. We have also seen a 71-year-old Bermudian hospitalized after being struck by an e-bike ridden by a 15year-old.

These are not abstract statistics. They are our neighbours, our elders, and our children, sharing narrow roads with machines that can now move as fast as a car.

Every requirement I am about to describe exists for one reason: to make sure that the people riding these machines, and the people sharing the road with them, come home safely.

So, what does the law require?

Four things, in plain terms.

First, every e-bike intended to be ridden on Bermuda’s roads must be registered and licensed with the Transport Control Department . . . the machine itself, not just the rider.

Second, every rider must hold the appropriate licence for their vehicle. 

Third, every e-bike must carry valid third-party insurance, at a minimum, just like any other motorized vehicle on our roads.

And fourth, every rider must wear a proper, certified helmet, every time.

I know that for many families and many riders, this will mean a trip to TCD that you were not expecting to make. So let me tell you what we are doing to make that process as easy as possible.

Persons who own E-bikes who want to legally operate their machines on public roads have until October 31^st, 2026, to take the necessary steps to make them roadworthy. We are opening a compliance window during which TCD will offer inspections and registration on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting on Saturday, September 26^th.

We are also working directly with local insurers to expand the products available for e-bikes, so that a valid insurance certificate is something every legitimate rider can obtain.

My ask of every e-bike owner in Bermuda is straightforward: use this window.

Come in. Get your machine inspected. Get it insured. Get it registered.

Get properly licensed.

This time period does not make illegal operation lawful. It does not apply to underage riders, nor does it permit the operation of an unlicensed or uninsured vehicle. 

Our goal over these seven weeks is compliance, not confrontation. We would much rather spend September and October helping people get right with the law than spend November responding to the alternative.

I want to thank the Road Safety Council for its partnership on public education; our colleagues at TCD for the work already underway to open capacity for this surge in registrations; and the insurers working with us in good faith to close the coverage gap.

For more information on how your E-bike can become compliant, please go to tcd.bm. 

I will now hand things over to the Bermuda Police Service, who will speak to how these requirements will be enforced from the end of October.

Thank you.

The City of Hamilton advises motorists that a section of Angle Street, from the junction with Court Street to the junction with Union Street, will be temporarily closed to facilitate the installation of a permanent speed bump aimed at reducing vehicle speeds and improving safety in the area.

The speed bump will be installed on Angle Street outside the Angle Street Church of God and will be similar in design to the existing traffic-calming measure located near the junction of Princess Street and Angle Street.

The work stems from concerns originally raised by area residents through the City’s Residents Advisory Committee, now known as the North Hamilton & Residents Committee, regarding traffic and pedestrian safety in the neighbourhood.

In response to that community feedback, the City installed a temporary speed bump on Angle Street in January as part of its ongoing traffic-calming efforts in the area. Following the temporary measure introduced earlier this year, the City is now moving ahead with the installation of a permanent speed bump at the location.

The permanent measure will feature a gradual profile, designed to encourage motorists to reduce their speed while allowing for a smooth transition for vehicles travelling along Angle Street.

Angle Street will be closed eastbound at the junction with Court Street on Friday, September 18th, beginning at 10:00 a.m., with works expected to be completed by 1:00 p.m.

Signs and barricades will be in place. Motorists are asked to plan their routes accordingly and follow all signage and directions while the work is carried out. Access will be restored as soon as the installation is complete.

The City thanks motorists and area residents for their patience and cooperation while these works are undertaken.

Feedback from residents continues to play an important role in identifying practical traffic-calming measures that can enhance safety and quality of life within City neighbourhoods.