Repeat Bermuda visitor Paul Phillips returns to England today feeling robbed, "ripped off'' and unsure if he wants to bring his family here again.

On Wednesday, Mr. Phillips' rental bike was stolen from the parking lot outside his room at Brightside Guest Apartments in Flatts.

And the next day he had to cough up $465 to pay for the missing cycle.

"I reported the theft to Police and to Astwood Cycles where I rented the bike. Astwood's then charged me for the cost of replacing it, saying my rental insurance did not include coverage for theft.

"I feel like I've been ripped off,'' Mr. Phillips said. "I don't understand how Astwood's could be allowed to rent cycles without theft coverage. It doesn't seem right.'' Mr. Phillips who comes from Nuneaton in Warwickshire, England, is in the truck rental business at home.

"In Britain it is illegal to rent a vehicle without theft coverage, and I assumed similar laws applied here. I was shocked and angry when I found out otherwise.'' Mr. Phillips, who has friends on the Island, first visited here 12 years ago.

"I've been a regular visitor ever since. I was married here, and I bring my wife and daughter to Bermuda regularly. Up until now I've always had a really good time. Now I'm not sure if we'll be coming back.'' Mr. Phillips has rented bikes in the past from a variety of cycle liveries and said the experience was always positive.

"When I asked the man at Astwood's why there wasn't any theft coverage I was told it had been dropped because of the high number of stolen bikes driving up the cost of insurance.

"I'd heard about the crime rate in Bermuda going up, but I never imagined it was as bad as this.

"I've always told people Bermuda is the safest place on earth, but after my experience this year I'm not so sure.

"One of the things I loved about Bermuda was always feeling safe and secure, removed from the problems of crime. I can't say I feel that way any more.'' Mr. Phillips said.

He said he was especially annoyed with Astwood Cycles.

"When I was asking about the charge for replacing the bike, I was shown the section of my rental contract regarding insurance and, the man was right, there was nothing in the fine print to say I was covered for theft.

"In fact the insurance they offer is pretty thin. It amounts to a simple collision waiver.

"I would have thought it easy for the cycle rental people to review the insurance coverage with the renter before they sign the contract.

"I didn't look at the fine print when I rented the bike. I assumed I was getting the same sort of insurance that's standard with vehicle rentals in countries like Britain and the United States.'' UK visitor forced to pay for stolen bike Although he was tempted to withhold payment for the stolen bike, Mr. Phillips went ahead and paid because, "I didn't want to do anything illegal. "But I'll be working on getting a refund through proper channels because I really don't think it is right for Astwood's to expect me to pay for a stolen bike,'' Mr. Phillips said.

Nobody from Astwood Cycles could be reached for comment yesterday.

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