Shadow Tourism Minister, Mr. David Allen.

And Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce cycle section Mr. David Panchaud furiously defended Bermuda's bike rental agencies.

Following two serious accidents involving American visitors on rented cycles last week, Mr. Allen said in the House of Assembly that he believed the agencies were more interested in renting as many cycles as possible than in assuring the safety of visitors.

He said: "The number of accidents on rented cycles really causes one to wonder whether the cycle liveries are giving adequate instructions for our visitors who are often mounting these contraptions for the first time.

"There is a temptation by cycle liveries to really turn over as many customers as possible.'' But Mr. Panchaud, president and general manager of Wheels, in Hamilton, said Mr. Allen was "talking off the top of his head''.

He said: "I find it surprising that as Shadow Tourism Minister he has not bothered to find any real information. I have been in the cycle business for 14 years and I have never seen Mr. Allen. He should come down here and get his facts right.

"I have often turned people away and told them they would be better taking another form of transport like the bus or a cab. These cycles are only covered by third party insurance. I am certainly not going to risk paying out $3-400 in repairs bills for the sake of $35.'' Mr. Panchaud believes that the training programme for the riders is adequate.

He said: "There are enough safety precautions and we give a pamphlet to all our customers telling them to keep their speed low and drive on the left.'' Quoting Government statistics he said that accidents involving visitors on hired cycles is half of one percent of the total of all accidents.

He said: "If Mr. Allen had done his homework he would have known that. He can come along here and I will show him the latest figures.

"The figures prove that most visitors on rented cycles drive safely and carefully.'' The two accidents last week resulted in three cruise ship passengers sustaining head injuries.

On Friday, a 55-year-old man received back and head injuries when he lost control of the cycle and crashed into the US Naval Air Station fence. He is still recovering in hospital.

Earlier in the week a 10-year-old girl and her 64-year-old grandfather were taken to intensive care after their cycle collided with a truck. They were flown back to a hospital in the United States over the weekend.