The importation of two stroke cycle engines will be banned in the interests of reducing pollution following the passage of new legislation in the House of Assembly yesterday.

But the Opposition United Bermuda Party voted against the measure, arguing that the ban, which will be coupled with an allowance to bring in more powerful four stroke engines, is too hasty and could also make the roads more dangerous.

The Motor Cycle Amendment Act, introduced by Environment Minister Dennis Lister who was sitting in for Transport Minister Ewart Brown, imposes a ban on the importation of two stroke bikes from the end of 2004.

It also allows people to import 150 cc bikes. Currently only bikes up to 100 cc are allowed to be brought into the Island.

Government argued that the two stroke bikes using a combination of oil and gas fuel, often left oil on the roads, were noisier and caused more harmful emissions than four stroke engines. Mr. Lister assured the House that vintage bike owners will not be affected by the bill.

But the Opposition said Government should focus on setting and enforcing emission standards instead of banning particular vehicles.

Shadow Transport Minister Erwin Adderley said he understood that research is currently being done to make two stroke engines more efficient and less of an environmental pollutant.

And he characterised as a "red herring" the justification that the measure will reduce the incidence of oil on roads, saying the problem posed by the two strokes was "minuscule" compared to that posed by other vehicles.

"Are cars to be banned next? " asked the UBP's Tim Smith, who added that the same principle could be applied to lawn mowers, leaf blowing machines and hedge trimmers.

The UBP was, however, most concerned that the bigger more powerful 150 cc bikes could set back efforts to make the roads safer.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Pat Gordon-Pamplin warned that the new powerful engines meant Government was putting "lethal weapons" in the hands of teenagers who were "half-baked individuals" who often couldn't handle them.

"You are effectively writing and endorsing a prescription that will ensure that we will see a mass mangle of humanity crushed in some corner, and some parent having to identify a child that they have nurtured."

She said it was inevitable the accident rate would increase because of the more powerful bikes. But her argument was countered by ruling party backbencher El James who said that the smaller two stroke bikes were unsafe because they were so light compared to their speed.

Allan Marshall, the shadow Telecommunications Minister, backed his colleagues, saying that Government should decide emission and size standards and tell the importers to find bikes that fitted the new regulations.

And he suggested if they were serious about tackling emissions, they would make electric bikes mandatory after a certain date.

In response to the safety concerns, Mr. Lister said: "It doesn't matter whether people are driving a 50 cc bike or 1,200 cc bike. It is the mentality of the person that makes a difference. Its knowing how to handle what you are riding."

Mr. Lister also pointed to a raft of emissions regulations that have already been passed by Government. And he said the Opposition had "misunderstood" Government in thinking that the legislation was aimed at forcing people to buy more powerful bikes than they have now.

"This legislation is part of a comprehensive package, which goes together with the new emission controls. To get the most environmentally friendly emissions, four stroke engines are the way we want to go."