Bermuda can look forward to quieter and more environmentally friendly motorcycles after Government tabled legislation to phase out the importation of two stroke engines.

From December 31, 2004, dealers will be banned from importing two stroke engines, which have been blamed for making the Island's roads dangerously greasy in the rain due to their fuel emissions.

And the Motor-Cycles and Auxiliary Bicycles Amendment Act will also limit the size of four stroke engines to 15 horsepower or 150 cubic capacity (cc) on bikes imported after December 31 2004.

The law will also ban the importation of upgrade kits which soup up the engine capacity of bikes. The changes do not apply to Police motorbikes or those used by Government.

Transport Minister Dr Ewart Brown said yesterday that the new legislation was in response to calls from the motorcycle importers who say manufacturers are phasing out the production of two stroke engines.

And he said the new law should have environmental spin-offs for the Island as well because four stroke engines are much cleaner.

"The environmental impact is that they will burn cleaner and it should make a difference in terms of noise," he said.

"And this satisfies the call for larger engines. It is consistent with what the motorcycle dealers have been telling us that if we did not make the change we would be out step with the trends.

"They may have the capacity to go faster, I'm not sure, but the legislation also prohibits the importation of upgrade kits."

People who have two stroke engines before December 31, 2004 will be allowed to keep them on the road.