Roads Policing Unit Reminder to Riders Under 18

Fri, 2022-05-06

The Roads Policing Unit (RPU) continues their efforts to educate the public and appropriately enforce the island’s traffic laws, with a timely reminder to riders aged 16 & 17.

It should be noted that riders under 18 cannot carry or ‘tow’ a passenger and cannot be on the roads between 1am and 5am.

The relevant legislation, the Auxiliary Bicycles Act 1954, states:

Prohibition from carrying passenger

9B (1) No person under the age of eighteen years shall drive an auxiliary bicycle with a passenger.

Restricted driving hours

9C (1) No person under the age of eighteen years shall drive an auxiliary bicycle between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

The penalties for disobeying the restrictions as stated in the Traffic Offences (Penalties) Act 1976 are:

•          A $300 fine.

•          5 to 7 demerit points.

•          A possible six-month ban from riding on the roads.

Inspector Darren Glasford, officer responsible for the RPU explained, “It has been noticed recently that many riders under the age of 18 are not following these rules.

This reminder is intended to promote voluntary compliance.

Overall, our goal is not to be punitive – but where police officers encounter offences being committed, our duty is to appropriately enforce the law.”