if the cycle has a comprehensive insurance policy.

And that is totally legal.

But the chairman of the Road Safety Council has vowed to discuss the matter at the next council meeting.

"I was not aware that this was the case,'' Mr. Ramadhin Smith told the The Royal Gazette . "But I will bring that issue up at our next meeting.'' Mr. William Madeiros, general manager at Colonial Insurance, said that at the moment the Road Traffic Act does not require pillion passengers to be insured.

"We're not saying it can't be done,'' he said. "It's just that the act does not require it.

"If enough of our clients wanted it we would make a simple business decision to do it,''he said.

Mr. Madeiros added that during his 15 years with the company, no one had asked for insurance for their pillion passenger.

"We are receptive to clients needs and if people wish this they can give us a call.'' Bermuda Fire and Marine has a similar policy, but claims manager Mr. Robert Jack said that even if people came in wishing coverage for themselves or their passengers on cycles, they could not get it.

Mr. Jack explained the act requires all persons using vehicles to have third party insurance which covers any damage done to the other vehicle.

If a cycle rider has comprehensive insurance they will also get coverage for their cycle.

Transport Minister the Hon. Maxwell Burgess said that there was no reason for the Act to be changed, because he said persons injured on cycles usually get the coverage they need from health insurance.

"All people under 16 get health coverage from Government,'' he said. "And after the age of 16 they are either covered through their parents or they make their own arrangements.

"We have one of the best health care schemes in the world and many people will supplement that coverage using life insurance with double indemnity.'' A double indemnity policy means that the beneficiary will get double the face value of the policy if they die accidentally.

This means that if they had a $100,000 policy their beneficiary would get $200,000.

Consequently, Mr. Burgess said there was no need to upset the way the present insurance schemes operate.

"It's up to every individual to get themselves insured,'' Mr. Burgess said.

"If you can afford to purchase a bike then you can also afford to get yourself insured.

"Generally, those who cannot afford health insurance don't have the money to buy a motorbike.''