Berry

Are they safe? Hear different answers. What was your experience?

Pam

If you pay attention to driving on the left and take your time, you should be quite safe. I think most "first-timers" are unduly worried about renting scooters. They are certainly the best way to see the island, and if your taking the ferry around Hamilton harbor the scooters can go too! Generally, I've found the Bermudian natives are very tolerant of the tourists on their scooters. Just take it easy, pay attention and you'll be fine.

Carl

Have rented mopeds and now scooters for years, without incident. Here are a few ideas that may help. If you are a couple you may be better off with one bike. While it is a little harder to get used to balancing for two people, you will not be distraced turning around looking for the other person. Secondly, do your best to carfully study your route before starting out. You'll be less distracted if you know where you are going. Thirdly, stay away from rush hours. The local drivers are courteous but like the rest of us are more likely to be in a hurry to and from work. Lastly, be extra careful if you go out at night. You won't have the same depth perception. Take your time and enjoy the scooters. They are the very best way to see Bermuda!

ellen

I have to disagree. We attempted to rent a scooter during our first visit to Bermuda (have been 4 times) and had a minor accident in the rental place parking lot which convinced us that we'd better rely on other modes of transport. I can think of three acquaintances of ours who have had serious scooter accidents in Bermuda - including a honeymooning couple who both ended up in the local hospital - all three friends required surgery. During our last trip to Bermuda, less than a year ago, a scooter fatality occurred near the airport. Let me add that our three injured friends, and my husband and I are reasonably young and active. Dont let the guidebooks fool you, the auto, bus, etc traffic on the roads down there moves along at a clip. It is not unusual to see a bus bearing down on a group puttering along on scooters. The roads are narrow and one drives on the left which can be very disorienting if one is unaccustomed to driving on the "wrong" side of the road.
We adore Bermuda and I'm sure you'll love it there. I hope you'll consider using the very efficient bus system or arranging for taxi rides if it's in your budget - there's a reason why they sell so many "Road Rash" tee shirts in Hamilton!

David

We were planning on renting a scooter in Bermuda until we actually got there and saw with our own eyes how dangerous it could be. We were riding in a taxi, it had just rained, and the roads in Bermuda are narrow and very "winding" (curvy). The taxi came up to an obvious tourist couple on a scooter, and began to tail-gate them very closely. There wasn't much more than a foot between the scooter and the front of the taxi. The taxi driver stayed right on their rear end until they actually found a spot a half mile down the road to pull off. One slip up on the part of the scooter driver and it would have been all over for both riders. We have seen this many times since. There are numerous accidents every year, most causing serious injuries,some fatal. Also many criminals target individuals on scooters for the simple fact that its easy to grab a purse or backpack as you pass by. If you happen to have an accident as they rob you, they could care less. Beleive me, Bermuda is not as safe as some people would have you think. Take a look at the Bermuda Gazzette website to get a real "picture" of how Bermuda has come to be. I think the web site is www.accessbda.bm. We use to love Bermuda, but now we are looking else where for the simple fact that Bermuda is changing drastically and quickly. They now actually have cameras downtown now to deter crime. Anyway, I'm getting off the subject...What we usually do is rent a scooter for one day only to sight see and go places that are hard to get to from the bus or a taxi. We usually do that on the first day that rain is not in the forecast. Something could still happen, but we feel like we can reduce the risk by limiting the use of a scooter. We use a combination of a taxi (for going downtown for a nice dinner) and the bus for most everything else.

Nadine

I agree completely with David. When my husband and I went to Bermuda a few months ago, we had a scooter as part of our package, but we only ended up using it one day. We took the bus to go into Hamilton and St. Georges, we took the ferry to go the dockyards. This was much more relaxing for both of us. We did use the scooter one day to tour the south shore beaches but it was a bit tense. Get a sense when you get there what you feel more comfortable with.

David

For your information...

Man dies in bike crash

© Copyright by The Royal Gazette Ltd

Bermuda, July 26, 1999

A motorcylist died in an accident near Shelly Bay late last night - the fifth fatality on Bermuda's roads this year. Details on the incident, which happened around 11 p.m. near Radnor Road, were sketchy as The Royal Gazette went to press, but police traffic investigators were at the scene. A police spokeswoman said all that was known was that it was "a single vehicle accident involving a
motorcycle ridden by a male." The man, who was pronounced dead at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital at 11.30 p.m, was not being identified until next of kin have been informed.

Carl

If the scooter situation in Bermuda was as dire as stated above, nobody would want to ride one. When you get to your hotel, look in the parking areas. They will be filled with vacationer's rental scooters. They let you see Bermuda at your own pace, and to go whaere you wish. The rental agencies will let you try one out. See how it feels for you.

Tom

My wife and I rented one scooter for the 2 of us for our Honeymoon last week. It was perfect and I never once felt unsafe. A little common sense and safe driving are key. Plus, the speed limit is only 35 KMH.

The accident referred to on this board was, as our driver to the airport informed us, involved a local man drag racing. Supposedly, many locals drag across the islands and this activity causes most of the accidents.

One word of advice, we heard there have been a rash of thefts from the basket behind the scooter seat. Lock your wallets and purses below the seat. Word has it that it is common for a thief to snatch valuable from the basket while you are stopped at a light or even while moving!

Brenda

Mopeds like anything else are not for everyone. I am 45 and have driven in Bermuda every summer for the last twelve years, luckly without incident. Yes there are accidents, some are drag racing(they race the things around after dark and turn off there headlights). Some are from not paying attention to their driving(looking at the beautiful beaches).Some are because some people should not be on a bike ever, and some are just plain accidents. Yes Bermudians drive very close and pass with two inches to spare this is true, but if you don't pay attention to them and stay off the edge of the road I think your as safe as most places. I watch as people ride the edge of the road and wiggle back and forth because they are nervous, it just takes time and something will happen, more than likely they will hit the stone walls because they left themselves with no where to go...People also go drinking to the clubs and sizzle inn and get on the bikes and wonder why they get in accidents, Have you ever drank a drink there??? Oh and on safety, yes there is more crime than before, where is it safe? in schools, in churches?? I love Bermuda and I find it to be as safe as almost anywhere. I have friends that live there and look forward to visiting them every year, hardest part is always to come back home!!
Brenda

Brenda

Some people should never drive a bike, in Bermuda or elsewhere, if you are one of those people don't. I have driven mopeds in Bermuda for twelve years every summer for a couple of weeks. Yes it is a sport over there to drag race at night with their lights off, you play if you wish..... Bermudians drive very close don't let them scare you that is how they drive.... Stay off the edge of the road and stay calm. when the road is wet it also makes sense to stay off the oil in the middle of the road. I have seen many people stop at sizzle inn for a couple of drinks and off they go, have you ever had a drink at sizzle inn you don't drive after... Yes accidents happen anywhere, why, well I have seen it....
Crime in Bermuda is on the rise, but you have to remember that it is a small island and you are going to get all the bad news in the paper...Are you safe where you live, in a school? a church? just think about it. Don't think if you lock things under the seat they will be there, it doesn't take much to get into that space. We visit friends that live in Bermuda and I love bermuda and will return as long as I can, the hardest part is coming home...

Julie

If you are not familiar with mopeds before your trip to Bermuda, I would not recommend learning how to use them there. I watched a woman coming out of a resort accelerate suddenly and smack into the side of the bus I was riding in. Fortunately, she seemed to not be seriously injured. But, unfortunately, there are plenty of fatalities as a result of moped accidents on Bermuda. Not surprising, as the roads are very narrow and they drive on the left, which is a problem if you are not used to it. Bermuda has a great public transportation system, which is what I used and I do not regret skipping mopeds.

Betty

My husband and I have been to Bermuda twice and rented a scooter both times. It's the only way to see ALL of Bermuda. However, I do agree with some of the previous reports.

The first time, my husband & I practised in the parking lot beside the rental place and it was VERY obviously that my husband shouldn't be driving. I have been riding motorcycles for years so I had no problem adjusting. We ended up with the 2 of us on one bigger scooter and it was the best. No looking back trying to keep track and communicating with each other. My husband enjoyed the scenery and I watched the road. Okay, so it was better for him than me...but much safer. We could also talk as we went along.

I can't imagine not renting a scooter. We met people taking the bus and most of the time they were standing by the road waiting for one while we were popping from place to place. Plus there are places the buses don't go.

Take the advice given here. Take it easy and use common sense. Drive in the left part of your lane. If you drift to the right edge, yes cars will try to go around you pushing you even further. That happens everywhere. I also agree, stay out of rush hour if you can. It's not huge or long like here in Toronto (4hrs) but passes quickly and you can be out and about.

Betty