I hope that when the visiting motocyclists (for whom I have respect) leave us again, the local motorcyclists will return to being their usual moronic selves, rather than the total idiots they have been proving themselves to be in the way they have been showing off in front of the visitors.

John, are you on island right now?

Most of the bikes will leave today...ah, peace and quiet although most of the riders were great folks.

Well I for one really disliked being on island during the beginning of the motorcycle week. Never again for me. Jeepers, that's really not what I go to Bonaire for.

Several times they went roaring down EEG at 03:00. Sounded louder then any of the planes at the airport. I'm sure that many of them are nice folks, but I definitely will not miss the hoards of bikers when I return next Feb!

Vince, my VERY first trip was 2001, Aug. - Sept. and I had no idea what Bike Week was..I thought the island was filled with Bike freaks. There was Heineken Festival and bike madness. Too funny.

Uh - yes I'm on the island, that must be how I know about these things!
I listen to the bikes racing up and down various roads at midnight or 3am.
I know that MOST of the visiting bikes sound like Harleys, the ones that race at night are the ones that sound like racing bikes and are here all the time. They seem to find it impossible to go round a corner or accelerate from a junction without using full revs and fish-tailing dangerously.
I don't for one minute belies that the visiting bikers do any of that!

I always loved Motorcycle Week.

Many people spend a lot of money and make a big effort to organise the event as well as importing their bikes from other islands.

The fact that once a year there is an event that is in no way diving or water related is great, especially for the many non-divers who live on Bonaire.

Most of the noise made is from locals. The Police tend to turn a blind eye during this week and the local lads see it as an opportunity to let off steam.

Of course, this will be controlled one day as will everything else. We in the West are not capable of controlling our own lives so we pay Politicians do so. Within five years there will be seat belt laws, drink drive laws and all of the other tiresome restrictions that we Westerners go to Bonaire to escape from.

Maybe some will be happy when all of these restrictions are imposed on Bonaire. I certainly won't.

I miss the bikes!!! There were a lot of really nice rides and courteous riders here this year. I agree with Antony, it appeared that those which were being reckless (old man talking here) had local license plates on their rides.

Ann, my very first trip in 2001 was during bike week as well...lol...I just thought a lot of folks on island owned harleys...I tend to agree with Tom and Antony (without the H)

That said, I know I won't ever go back during Regatta, to noisy and busy for me ;-)

It's all good. Sure, it's a lively noisy week but it brings people together, brings revenue at an otherwise dead time and overall is fun for many. I do know there were a lot of accidents and a death over the weekend. Some get overzealous and well, stuff happens.

Pam - A couple of times I had to tell Tom - " Walk away Tom walk away "

The death was NOT one of the Bike Week folks. I asked the police about any problems and was told that there were very few incidents or mishaps this year...

What was that death all about?? We saw all the police cars, ambulances and red and blue lights all over the place on our way to the airport early that morning. Could not get through on the main road and had to take back streets. We were very concerned, and now see that it was for good reason. Anyone have more info?