Over 200 regional bikers to converge on SVG for Independence

Come next month, over 200 regional bikers will descend on St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), as part of the SVG Motorcycle Club’s 37th Independence activities.

And according to directors of the SVG Motorcycle Club Bronson Durrant (treasurer) and Carl “Pressie” Prescott, this year’s activities promise to be much better than recent years.{{more}}

In an interview with SEARCHLIGHT on Monday, Prescott said the bikers from Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago will this year take part in the various activities.

He stressed that the Motorcycle Club’s activities are being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Vincy Motorsports Club.

The Club will hold its welcome lime on Wednesday, October 26, while the visiting and local bikers will take part in the Independence parade at Victoria Park, after which an Indepen-dence ride to Owia will take place. The group will then visit the opening of the sports and culture fiesta at Arnos Vale.

On Friday, October 28, a 4×4 event, evening street festival and stage concert will be held at Heritage Square.

On Saturday, October 29, an all-day bike fair and family day will take place, while persons will be entertained by a ‘We Ting’ sound clash. There will also be three on three basketball and steel pan competitions at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex from 10 a.m.

On October 30, the rally and motocross and craft and food fair will be held at the Diamond Race Track from 11 a.m.

According to Prescott, biking can be very exciting and the various events this year are designed to help the club raise funds, so that local bikers can attend Barbados’ 50th Independence celebrations in November.

Prescott stressed that for the first time ever, local riders will be able to go into Barbados to celebrate that country’s Independence activities, which will run from November 25 to December 3.

“This is history in the making, in that never before bikers from SVG could enter Barbados shores. The thing was that Barbados is not part of the OECS free movement, but the Government has recognized the club and has sent an invitation to SVG and other countries to attend the 50th anniversary, so we are working hard to try to raise funds,” explained Prescott.

In relation to the bikers who will visit this country next month, Prescott noted that safety is the Club’s number one priority and paying attention to traffic rules and regulations is very important.

“Biking could be a dangerous sport and people must be aware of these things. We are putting measures in place to make sure that our events are carried out safely,” said Prescott, who noted that police outriders will be aiding the Club during the recreational rides that will take place.

Prescott also stressed that motorists and pedestrians must be aware of bikers and try their best to not engage in activities that can be deadly to riders. These activities include stopping around corners, opening doors into traffic without looking and dropping gravel on the road.

“Bikes move faster than cars and when we fall, it is our body that gets the blow, so we are asking that persons be more courteous to bikers,” stressed Prescott.

Durrant also stressed that road users should be aware of the increased biking activity during October and remember bikers are road users also.

“We have a few people who misbehave, but most riders do the right thing; but some people seem to want to take it out on all bikers; stop this,” said Durrant.

Sponsors of the Motorcycle Club’s activities include OT Tyres, Coreas Hazells, Right Stuff and Xtreme FM.