Comments on: 80-Year-Old Visitor Dies In Warwick Accident

By: Billy Mays

Billy Mays — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:20:05 +0000

While I agree completely that the bike rental places do a terrible job of screening and training renters, ultimately it’s the renter who takes his/her life into his/her own hands. Age can be a factor, but every person is different. I know plenty of folks in their 20′s who shouldn’t be on a bike, and plenty of older folks who are quite capable.
Bottom line is that these bikes are death traps for the inexperienced rider regardless of age who has to contend with narrow, winding roads, no shoulders, stone wall curbs, and driving on the left/looking to the right. I NEVER EVER EVER have my guests rent a bike. Not a fan of funerals.

By: Charlene

Charlene — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:56:19 +0000

This man was the kindest man I know. He was healthy, trim and full-of-life. I know a 90 year old man who rides a motorcycle. This man was not your usual 80-year-old man stereotype. It is a real loss.

By: Yes I

Yes I — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:44:26 +0000

Who are we to determine if 80 years young is too old to have a rental bike? There are many 80 yr olds sharp as a tack still left in the world.

By: betty Rech

betty Rech — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:14:52 +0000

Sympathy to family. Yes he was 80 but he probably was a young 80 thought he could handle the bike or maybe he was stricken with a heart attack. R.I.P.

By: Rard

Rard — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 09:19:29 +0000

Whenever you see a news piece about a car driving through the front window of a store…inevitably it’s a 70+ year old person. What happens is, they step on the gas, thinking it’s the brake. When the car doesn’t slow down, they press harder…and harder. The car eventually stops when it hits the storefront, and the investigators NEVER find anything wrong with the car. It’s just something about how some seniors’ brains work.

I hope this accident wasn’t something similar, where he was twisting the throttle the wrong way to slow down, and instead speeded up. If so, things can go horribly wrong in a matter of seconds.

Sincere condolences to the man’s family. They must be devastated.

By: Definitive word

Definitive word — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 01:28:25 +0000

One name .

Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger .

Damn ,now I forgot why I posted this . Like casting pearls before swine sometimes I guess .

By: A.D.

A.D. — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 20:28:41 +0000

Uh, yeah…the pilot was old and had a heart attack up there. Luckily he had given his wife flying lessons. If he hadn’t, she would have crashed the plane.

Note-the husband died suddenly in the air. That’s why 80+ people shouldn’t be piloting planes. Would YOU fly on Delta or AA knowing the flight crew consisted of a bunch of senior citizens 80+ years old? No disrespect to them, but NO, you wouldn’t!

*Or would you (I forgot who I was talking to)???*

By: A.D.

A.D. — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 20:25:14 +0000

We’re Bermudians…Bermudians sound the same. Where are YOU from, genius?

By: A.D.

A.D. — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 20:20:43 +0000

Hey Mouse, first of all get the stick out your butt. Second of all, everyone disagrees with you. Thirdly, don’t you know how Bernews works? First you attack everyone in the article, and when you’re done doing that, you attack everyone in the forum if their opinion doesn’t match yours. That’s the way we do it…try and keep up, will ya?

By: family

family — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 19:59:18 +0000

He actually has been riding a moped all his life. He was more active than a lot of 20-30 year olds I see. He died doing what he loved. What better way to go. P.S. I am related.

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 19:05:07 +0000

Speed is what we need to cut down on, Mostly all of our road deaths are caused by excessive speed. As soon as you come off your bike your body turns into a missile, aimed at anything in its path, and if your helmet comes off while you are traveling, well that’s just tragic. We need to bring in a smaller bike with a new style of helmet.

By: there's a difference

there's a difference — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 16:51:09 +0000

That 80 year old on the Harley has probably been riding for the better part of 60 years. The 80 year old on the moped??? Probably a couple of hours at best.

By: Get it together

Get it together — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 16:14:23 +0000

What.is.your point? You want the icyhot or not? You keep talking about me in comments and I’m the troll? Sorry I embarrassed ya, better luck next time.

By: Motor mouse

Motor mouse — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 15:47:29 +0000

Your style , tone .. is so ..familiar ? ?

Sorry to dissappoint you , I don’t feed trolls .

Bye.

By: Sad Times

Sad Times — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 15:29:18 +0000

My god guys, I can’t believe all the bickering going back and forth between a few of you. A man/tourist died on our roads. That is fact. Stop the petty comments going back and forth. No one knows for sure what exactly caused his accident. It was a very sad day for many of us and his group traveling with him who witnessed this horrific accident. I was at the scene and something I would never forget.
God bless his family and friends.

By: Pay attention

Pay attention — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 15:28:02 +0000

Although I don’t agree with the process in which these cycles are rented we all must understand that just like we choose to rent a car and drive in an unfamiliar country on unfamiliar roads, it’s the visitors’ choice to rent these cycles and do the same. In my opinion the risks are no different. Whether traveling at 70 mph on a highway or 20 mph in Bda there is always a risk that something unfortunate can happen which may cause you your life. Even though a lot of them don’t feel comfortable on a bike, they still CHOOSE to rent it

By: SL

SL — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 15:21:51 +0000

He’s just making a point. He hasn’t said anything wrong or divulged anything personal about the man.

By: Get it together

Get it together — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 15:02:53 +0000

You want some icyhot for that butthurt?

By: Old Furberts kettle

Old Furberts kettle — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 14:29:55 +0000

Why the hell are these greedy bike rental companies pushing a motor cycle onto an 80 year old man. These cycle livery companies should be ashamed of the selfs.

By: Motor mouse

Motor mouse — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 11:46:49 +0000

‘Get it together’ should be here very soon to attack you on your post . Stay tuned .

By: Pay attention

Pay attention — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 11:29:20 +0000

My condolences to the family and friends of this gentleman. Also thanks to the bystanders, Parks staff, and the off-duty firefighter who assisted without hesitation. I would also like to thank the first responders which include FIREFIGHTERS and KEMH EMT’s who assisted in giving this man further life support. They encounter all sorts of incidents involving both locals and visitors yet still remain calm and act professionally at every incident. You all did the best you could and did a great job at attempting to save this man’s life.
By the way, have you ever had someone on a motorcycle with one of those loud pipes overtake you at an excessive speed? Its scary when you check your mirror, see nothing then all of a sudden something comes blasting across you from behind. I have been riding for more than 20 years and it has spooked me many times…..

By: poor judgement

poor judgement — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 11:18:28 +0000

DQ you should not be responding to any thread or articles on cases that you have been involved in. As a fellow healthcare worker you have an ethical standard to uphold.

By: Politely Pompous

Politely Pompous — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 06:56:33 +0000

Whitney…it’s ‘shudder’…

They’re never going to put a stop to this so the only thing they can do is tighten up the regulations concerning this and hold the bike rental companies more accountable. They need to have more stringent tests before they allow the tourists out on the road. Maybe even give them a short, simple written quiz of some sort as well (maybe 5 mins. long or something) along with the practical test. If the tourists doesn’t want to take it, then clearly they don’t value their life so don’t give them the bike.

We won’t even get into the left side/right side of the road problem. Plenty of them get confused and that confusion will get you killed. As one long-time cab driver used to say regarding tourists driving on the right “There’s only two sides to drive in Bermuda-the left side and suicide…”

By: Get it together

Get it together — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 05:53:46 +0000

Sounds like you’re defensive because I pointed out the clear lack of thought and logic in your rant? Exactly the cause has not been determined so why are you quick to blame EVERYONE but the driver? Do you read what you type before you hit submit? Does it matter that he rode away alive? Does it change the fact that he was still 80 and thus his strength, health, cognitive, reactive and defensive abilities as a rider on roads that are foreign to him not exasperated factors in comparison to that of a younger person? Or a Bermudian who is familiar with our roads? Congrats on being accident free what does that have to do with anything? So that somehow makes you an expert? Want a cookie?

Sounds to me like you like to make ASSumptions often. You have no clue how he crashed and died, I am not defensive and I do not take offensive to face-less, name-less, know it alls on news websites. Get over yourself. I could also care less what “guys who bring their Harley’s down here” have to say either.

By: still

still — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 01:36:41 +0000

WE NEED THREE WHEEL BIKES! AND WHY IS A 80 YEAR OLD RIDING A BIKE ANYWAY??

By: Motor mouse

Motor mouse — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 01:14:06 +0000

A bit defensive much ? Someone said something that hurt you ? The exact cause of this accident has not been determined yet. Despite his age which seems to be a huge factor for some people he had to be alive when he rode away from the livery ,eh ?
There’s nothing wrong with my logic and that comes from a perspective of having 42 years of accident free riding of all sorts and sizes of motorcycles all around the globe.
Was even involved directly in the industry.
Sounds to me like you take offence to people who point out some facts about what goes on on our roads. Maybe you should talk to the guys who bring their Harleys down here what they think about our ‘road warriors’.
Be warned , you’re going to have to break out your thick skin . If you have any.

By: The Truth (Most Imitated)

The Truth (Most Imitated) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 00:36:22 +0000

My condolences to the family of the accident victim. I myself had a tourist come at me head on around a bend. She rode up on the grass thank goodness and wasn’t hurt. I suggested to her to give the bike back to the rental place because you cannot handle it and we don’t want you getting hurt or killed. Not knowing the circumstances behind the accident we cannot pass judgment on the rental company. That being said however the rental company’s do appear not to be using their best judgment on who they rent a bike to. Maybe a virtual test imitating riding on our roads to test their sharpness and reaction to certain situations..

By: Sad

Sad — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 00:33:06 +0000

Condolences to his family and friends. Thoughts and prayers for them at such a hard time right now.

By: Florida Keys

Florida Keys — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 00:09:37 +0000

Sympathies to the family of yet another visitor to our island. We drove a four seater cart in Key West Florida. Had a great time on this, yes we didn’t keep up with the traffic so people were overtaking us but we do this now with the tourists on bikes. It was definitely be a lot safer for our visitors. So this is something that the livery agencies should look into.

By: Mayan

Mayan — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 23:39:19 +0000

80? No, no, no…that bike company needs to be named and shamed…

Here’s a simple test as to how they can determine whether or not to let the visitor take the bike: if you see them using their feet for brakes, then they fail-they are not ready to be on our roads. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen tourists do this on the road and not use the proper brakes on the bike…this isn’t The Flintstones.

By: Mister Nice Guy

Mister Nice Guy — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 23:06:16 +0000

80 year old on a Harley Davison in the USA vs 80 year old on small moped in Bermuda hmmm ………. must be the winding roads..i dont know

By: test riders

test riders — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 22:55:32 +0000

The TCD Department needs to ensure that cycle livery standards are being enforced and that anyone testing persons is certified, much like the persons that teach project ride with periodic reviews. I hear more from CADA than the Road Safety Council or Road Safety Officer in the media, what they do is actually beyond me. Maybe the new minister will get some fire under these pencil pushers to do their job.

By: A.D.O.W.

A.D.O.W. — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 22:39:51 +0000

Liesten, how you can compare an 80 year old Bermudian to and 80 year old Tourist baffles me….I mean seriously….the local has been riding for decades he knows how to ride…Hello!…yeah other circumstances may have played a role….but a more experienced rider may have better handled them.

By: DQ

DQ — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 22:37:15 +0000

Hello to All,

I was at the seen, I was the first responder did CPR until the paramedics got there……..!! It was the longest wait for ambulance I ever had to encounter, I am in the medical field, I will never forget his face, I am praying for the family and may he rest in peace.

He had just celebrated his 60 th anniversary with his wife. This is so sad.

I believe that this bike rental to the tourist is so DANGEROUS as you all have been saying, but then how could they get around if no bikes ? We cant do cars ?

This is a problem that will never be fixed !!

BermyDQ

By: Tori

Tori — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 22:16:55 +0000

I agree 100% on the 3 wheels and while we are at it make them electric. Those scooters are unsafe and toxic!!

My condolences to the family at this time so sorry for your loss!

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 21:57:30 +0000

I was driving behind 2 tourists the other day, seemed to be husband and wife. At times I had difficulty keeping up with them, I was traveling at just under 50k and the lady in front of me at times was shooting off ahead probably doing around 60k wobbling, trying to keep up with her husband. People just don’t realize that they can be killed on those toys on our dinky roads. Maybe it’s time to adjust the speed on these bikes and to make it law.

By: Rockiroad

Rockiroad — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 21:56:18 +0000

So, we have visitors who still think of Bermuda as a sleepy backwater and safe to drive in, safe to stay in? And somehow it’s their fault for coming? Or the livery companies’ fault for renting. OK, liveries must take better care to ensure the rider is able to drive safely but isn’t the real problem the fact that Bermuda’s roads are made dangerous by the car drivers? Slow down, be nice to tourists. Maybe the driver now works for International Business and has moved on from being nice to visitors for a living but good manners count. Don’t hassle them, don’t overtake ongoing vehicles and the poor newbies swerve…. None of this may have been the cause of today’s accident but it is only by the grace of God that more accidents don’t happen. Tourists don’t generally cause accidents, residents do. Slow down, given them space and respect that they have spent their dollars to come and see our Island home.

By: Stop this cycle

Stop this cycle — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 21:33:39 +0000

Yeah but how many 80yr old’s do you see riding motor bikes in the states, most of them drive cars not ride bikes….it’s a difference

By: LaVerne Furbert

LaVerne Furbert — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 20:54:16 +0000

An 80 year old woman managed to make an emergency landing in Wisconsin after the pilot, who is also her husband, died in the air.
Helen Collins remained calm when she landed a small Cessna plane at the airport Cherryland, even then he had learned that her husband was dead.

According to James Collins, his son, his mother never took the basic course flight, the takeoff and landing, 30 years ago. James told The Associated Press said, it was at the request of his father as a precaution if anything happens to it when he took his wife to fly.

Helen Collins never got a license to fly. However, he had hundreds of times to accompany her husband, John Collins, piloted the plane.

By: SL

SL — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 20:50:06 +0000

Well said Sean.

By: Get it together

Get it together — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 20:33:21 +0000

Yeah because those scenarios are more plausible than him being 80, in a foreign country on a bike. Typical sell out to blame locals for a tourist crashing and dying even though it’s been happening for years upon years. I guess locals were the fault in everyone of those cases(oh and the bees!). If he was spooked it was still his fault, if you are easily spooked(of what exactly?) you shouldn’t be riding/driving. Logic isn’t your thing huh?

By: Motor mouse

Motor mouse — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 20:22:41 +0000

Regarding the use of the word ‘determine’ in your first sentence .

Have you ever seen how determined some of these visitors are to have a bike regardless of their skills/knowledge ?

For many , being told outright ‘no’ would probably ruin their holiday. The problem for most of them is they simply don’t know what the roads are really like here. First time visitors still have a mental picture of a sleepy backwater , while in many instances , repeat visitors stopped getting bikes a few trips ago .

By: Real Talk

Real Talk — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 20:04:06 +0000

Sincere condolences to the family of this gentleman. How very tragic.

It is high time that we stop renting mopeds to tourists who may have never ridden a bike before. A motorcycle license from overseas should be a prerequisite. Narrow, winding, over-crowded roads and handling a moped for the first time is a recipe for disaster.

I have often found myself holding my breath when watching tourists ride as it can be very harrowing!!

Very, very sad indeed.

By: part of the solution

part of the solution — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 19:43:53 +0000

They rent because they are a business and the mighty dollar conquers all. I do not know how they sleep at night!

My deepest sympathies to the family of this visitor.

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 19:38:19 +0000

First, my condolences to the family and friends here and abroad! It’s nothing more tragic than coming to Bermuda to enjoy a vacation with family/friends only to lose one’s life doing something that is so preventable.

The government is and has been in a position to establish a law directed at livery cycle companies outlining specific rules in relation to renting cycles to visitors. I am not against the livery cycle companies doing business. What I am against, is taking advantage of the situation and allowing any visitor to ride a rental cycle no matter what. I could go on and on but the bottom line is :

1. Government needs to get involved to make sure these companies abide by specific rules (including age restrictions).

2. Here’s a motto every visitor and livery company should automatically follow :
(And they don’t because you see their manner of how they are riding on the road)

“IF YOU NEVER EVER HAVE RIDDEN ON A MOTORCYCLE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,
DO NOT EVEN START BY RIDING ONE IN BERMUDA – IT MAY COST YOU YOUR LIFE!!!”

To all visitors of Bermuda – Please be safe on our roads – If you feel uncomfortable riding on our roads, immediately return your livery cycle or better yet stop and get off your cycle and call the livery company to pick you up and your cycle. It’s better to be safe and enjoy your holiday than to tragically end it!

Sean

By: Dianne

Dianne — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 19:19:07 +0000

I know some 80yr olds that are in Better physical and mental health than people half their age. Poor sight probably had a heart attack. As was the case with the 80+ yr old fella who drove over the embankment near Princess a few years back.

By: Awake

Awake — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 19:16:09 +0000

Condolences to the family of the deceased. When are we going to add “the deplorable conditions of our roads” are to be considered for MANY accidents! It’s hard enough maneuvering a car on our roads, let alone a bike! Wake up Bermuda…we are sinking faster and faster every single day. Watch out for those who believe “nothing is wrong”!

By: love bermuda

love bermuda — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 19:06:49 +0000

First my condolences to this gentleman’s family it is heartbreaking .
I agree the bike rental companies need to re evaluate their policies with regards to who can rent and the education given to the renters.
my father is 82 and I cant imagine anyone in their right mind would agree to rent him a bike irregardless of how fit he is! I do not believe in age descrimination and have known many an amazing 80 yr old but a Bermudian 80yr old who knows these roads well would probably say no to jumping on a moped!!
Do better rental companies review your policies not sure whoever rented this gentleman the bike will sleep well tonight!!

By: Get it together

Get it together — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 18:49:30 +0000

I agree! At this point it’s not just about their safety it’s about the safety of others as well.

By: Man in the Mirror

Man in the Mirror — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 18:47:08 +0000

My sincere condolences to the family of the visitor whom lost his life whilst enjoying a Bermudaful Day.
Just over a few weeks ago another visitor to Bermuda lost his life.
I mentioned in that post, that the Cycle companies should ONLY have Bermudians training the tourist who want to ride livery cycles whilst on vacation.
There are ONLY Bermudians driver instructors for anyone wanting to learn to drive.
The roads have become so hazardous over the years. Bigger vehicles, and everyone in a hurry to go 21 square miles.
No-one seems polite and courteous especially to the visitor whom may have NEVER riden a cycle prior, but wants to explore and adventure on their own.
Why must cars and trucks and buses drive soo damn close behind them as they slowly make their way around our island.
For all those that want to tear me apart, go right ahead. I have broad shoulders when i look in my mirror.
but stop and think, are you part of the problem or part of the solution.