One of Bermuda's largest vehicle distributors has donated eight motorcycles to an organisation training teenagers to ride bikes.

The HWP Group made the donation to Project Ride, an obligatory 12-hour motorcycle-training programme for 16 to18-year-olds.

According to a Project Ride spokesman, the programme was in need of more motorcycles to meet the needs of its students. As well as donating the bikes, HWP has also agreed to service them on an ongoing basis.

The Project Ride programme is designed to introduce young drivers to the correct and safe procedures in dealing with Bermuda's roads and to teach an attitude that demonstrates responsibility and respect for other road users.

"Project ride has been charged with the difficult task of educating our youth on road safety skills and defensive driving habits with old and sometimes unreliable bikes," said David Minors, the coordinator of Project Ride.

"We are delighted with this donation from the HWP Group. "The Project Ride programme will be enhanced by this donation and over time it will assist with the education and skills of our riders, ultimately positively affecting the driving culture on Bermuda's roads."

According to a HWP spokesman, the company plans to have an ongoing relationship with Project Ride with the goal of ensuring that the bikes are well maintained, allowing the organisation to focus on the education of their students rather than the upkeep of their motorcycles.

"I am excited that we are investing in the local community, particularly in Bermuda's youth programmes," said Harry Andrews, Vice-President of customer service for HWP.

"This donation and maintenance agreement will directly help teenagers gain valuable road safety skills in a safe and well-monitored environment, strengthening our community's overall road safety skill level."

With more than 1,000 accidents and 12 road deaths recorded so far this year on the Island's roads, Project Ride's role in educating young riders in responsible driving habits has been highlighted by the Government and community leaders.

Recently, Junior Transport Minister, Marc Bean announced that he intends to extend the Project Ride programme to include guest workers who are new to the Island.

l For more information on Project Ride, contact the Project Ride Coordinator at the Transport Control Department at 292-1271 or the Project Ride Instructor at your school.