A riding programme aimed at instilling road safety values in children while providing them with developmental training and even motocross skills is taking hold in Bermuda.

Bermy Stride, the brainchild of business partners Kenika Dill and Jamel Thompson, was launched in April 2020 and includes basic technique drills.

It offers riding skills for a non-electric balance bike programme and an electric bike programme, with a large inflatable track to practise on.

There are four different levels — fundamentals in bike components, rules of the road and signals, safety gear, and bike maintenance.

Services include electric-bike rentals for birthday parties and special events, electric-bike public training classes and leisure entertainment racing.

Suitable for girls and boys, the scheme provides an outlet for children as young as 1 and up to ten years of age.

Mr Thompson, who is the vice-president of the Bermuda Motocross Association, said that while the programme can prepare participants for competitive riding, rider safety is at the core of the business.

Ms Dill said: “There is not enough attention to road safety in Bermuda; there is no continuous advocating for it.

“A lot of kids are getting hurt. It may not be a fatality but they are getting life-changing injuries.

“At Bermy Stride, we enforce helmet safety and have found ways to ensure they understand the importance of it.

“We use cones to create real-life experiences.

“The kids are able to stop, brake and control their acceleration while entering the ‘roundabout’ [marked out by traffic cones], and they have to maintain their speed while being aware of the other riders around them.

“Then they have to exit the roundabout while being called on. It is a whole different type of exercise.

“Our bikes don’t have indicators but we teach them about indicating and they put out their arm.”

The business partners believe their programme could establish itself as a precursor to Project Ride, a government-led programme for schoolchildren as young as 15½ — preparing them for when they can take their test and legally ride on the road at 16.

Mr Dill said there is potential for children to begin official training before the age of 15, and that Bermy Stride may eventually look at bridging a gap in the future.

He explained: “There is a gap from about age 10 to 16. In my opinion, it would be good to start them earlier like 14 or 15. Kids are so anxious to get on the road at 16.”

The pair are looking into bringing some larger electric bikes to the island that may serve older children.

Ms Dill said: “We are looking into Sur-Ron, an electric bike which is bigger, and eventually we are looking to bridge the gap where there may be an issue and bring in bikes for older kids.”

Bermy Stride has made presentations in schools with an emphasis on safety while promoting the services it offers through demonstrations.

The programme aims to not only improve riding but also life skills.

Ms Dill explained: “We understood there is a need for developmental training when it comes to bikes.

“I feel like the culture has shifted — years ago a lot of kids used to be outside riding their bikes and were more into outdoor activities.

“As technology becomes more relevant, kids are stuck inside, so we created something where they can develop and learn life skills as well.

“The programme aims to reinforce positive attitudes and behaviours towards safely riding and manoeuvring on Bermuda’s busy roads.

“A lot of kids have had benefits in other forms of development. We have had kids who are on the autism spectrum, kids who have a hard time communicating or have other challenges who have come out of their shell.”

The classes also aim to help children who have an interest in pursuing the sport of motocross as a profession or hobby.

Mr Thompson used to travel with his sons through the sport, and the balance bikes he saw overseas caught his eye.

Since 2020, the business has increased its fleet from about eight to include 12-inch and 16-inch electric bikes, Razor 500 and 650 electric bikes, and for the older children Oset MX-10 models.

As well as rider training, Bermy Stride holds themed events for occasions such as Easter and Hallowe'en, and hosts birthday parties and special events that have in the past included the PGA Tour, Harbour Nights and City of Hamilton festivals.

Participants also have the chance to race with the Bermuda Motocross Association during its race days.

The training location is usually at the Bermuda Motocross Association in St David’s but other sites have been used as available.

Classes typically run every other weekend, with the addition of Wednesdays during winter months, outside of race weekends.

• To learn more, visit the Bermy StrideInstagramorFacebook pages @bermystride, call 747-0457 or e-mail bermystride@gmail.com