10.2 Cyclists and Motorcyclists
Key Takeaways
Every person travelling on a motorcycle, including a pillion passenger, must wear an approved helmet, and tinted visors that conceal identity are banned (reg. 146).
Cyclists must wear a bicycle helmet with the chin strap fastened, and parents must not let children under 16 ride without one (reg. 117A, fine BBD $300).
A bicycle needs efficient brakes, a bell within 10 cm of the handle grip, and at night a white front lamp, a red rear lamp, a red reflector and a white rear surface (regs. 122 to 125).
No one may ride, leave or carry a bicycle on a sidewalk, or hold on to a moving vehicle while riding or skating (regs. 126 and 118A).
Drivers should give cyclists and motorcyclists at least as much room as a car when overtaking, and look for them at junctions and before opening doors.
Two-wheelers are small, quick and unprotected. Barbados law sets equipment and helmet rules for riders, and good drivers take extra care around them.
Motorcycles
- Helmets for everyone aboard. "Every person travelling on a motor cycle shall wear a helmet" approved by the Licensing Authority (reg. 146(1)). That includes pillion passengers. Barbados test papers ask whether a pillion passenger must wear a helmet. Yes.
- No identity-concealing visors. No one travelling on a motorcycle, or in any other motor vehicle, may wear a helmet with a visor of tinted glass, plastic or other material that may conceal the person's identity (reg. 146(2)).
- Passengers. On a solo motorcycle, carry a passenger only on a proper pillion seat. Barbados test material allows only one pillion passenger.
- Licensing. Motorcycles are a separate licence class (s.68(2)(b)). A heavy motorcycle licence is available from 16 under s.69(2).
- Lights. A two-wheeled motorcycle needs one headlamp at the centre of the front at night (reg. 22(9)).
Bicycles
| Requirement | Rule | Regulation |
|---|---|---|
| Helmet | Rider must wear a bicycle helmet with the chin strap securely fastened under the chin; a parent or guardian must not allow a child under 16 to ride without one; fine BBD $300 | 117A (2017) |
| Brakes | An efficient braking system that stops the bicycle within a reasonable distance; police may stop and check | 122 |
| Bell | A bell or approved warning device fixed to the handlebar not more than 10 cm from the grip, used when a warning is needed | 123 |
| Front lamp at night | A lighted lamp at the centre front showing a white light | 124 |
| Rear at night | A red rear lamp; a clean red reflector at least 40 cm above the ground; and a white surface of at least 30 square centimetres | 125 |
| Sidewalks | No riding, leaving or carrying a bicycle along a sidewalk | 126 |
| Sale | Bicycles sold must meet the brake, bell and lamp specifications (fine BBD $500) | 117B |
Cycling offences
- Reckless or dangerous cycling (reg. 118) and careless or inconsiderate cycling (reg. 119).
- Cycling while unfit through drink or drugs (reg. 120); police may arrest without a warrant.
- Unauthorised racing on a public road (reg. 121).
- Holding on to a moving vehicle. No person riding a motorcycle or bicycle, or travelling on roller-skates or a skateboard, may hold on to a moving vehicle to be drawn along, and no driver may allow it (reg. 118A). The penalty is a fine of BBD $500 or 6 months.
- A cyclist suspected of an offence must give their name and address to a uniformed police officer (reg. 127).
Sharing the road with two-wheelers
- Look twice at junctions. Motorcycles approach quickly and are hidden by pillars, parked cars and vans.
- Give room when overtaking. Pass cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders with at least as much room as you would give a car, and more in strong wind, on hills or on rough surfaces. Do not overtake where the road narrows or before a bend.
- Left turns. Check your left mirror and blind spot for a cyclist before turning left, and never overtake a cyclist just before you turn left across their path.
- Roundabouts. A cyclist may stay in the left lane while going right round (see 5.3).
- Doors. Check before opening a door into the path of a cyclist (reg. 37).
- Night. Look for small rear lights and reflectors on unlit roads, and dip your headlights for oncoming cyclists.
Why riders swerve
Riders may move out suddenly to avoid potholes, drains, gravel, broken glass or opening doors, and they are pushed about by wind and the slipstream of large vehicles. Leave a margin that allows for a wobble, especially when passing children on bicycles.
Motorcyclists: being seen
Most crashes between cars and motorcycles happen when a driver pulls out at a junction or turns right across a motorcyclist's path, saying afterwards, "I didn't see him." A motorcycle's narrow outline is easily hidden by a windscreen pillar, a mirror or a vehicle in the next lane, and its speed is hard to judge. Before turning or pulling out, look properly in every direction, move your head to see round the pillar, and take a second look along the road before you commit. When a motorcycle is close behind you, avoid sudden braking and signal early.
Exam traps
- "A bicycle is narrow, so pass it closely." No: give at least as much room as for a car.
- "Helmets are only for riders." Every person on a motorcycle needs one, and every cyclist on a road needs a bicycle helmet.
- "Children can ride on the sidewalk." Regulation 126 forbids riding a bicycle on a sidewalk, whatever the rider's age.
Must a pillion passenger on a motorcycle wear a helmet in Barbados?
Yes, everyone on a motorcycle must wear one
Only if the passenger is under 16 years old
Only on journeys outside built-up areas
No, only the rider is required to wear a helmet
What does regulation 117A, added in 2017, require of a person riding a bicycle on a road?
A helmet with the chin strap fastened
Nothing, if the rider is over 16
A helmet only when riding at night
A reflective vest instead of a helmet
How much room should you give a cyclist when overtaking?
Less than for a car, because a bicycle is narrow
No more than for a car, as long as you sound your horn
Exactly half a metre, to keep traffic moving
At least as much as you would give a car
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