larger cars and bikes with bigger engines -- need a full discussion before any decision is taken.

Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown has said his Ministry is considering expanding the allowable length of cars by half an inch. Also under discussion are proposals to allow in 125cc engines on motorbikes.

In both cases, the debate appears to be driven by importers who say they are having difficulties locating bikes of 100cc or lower and cars which meet the Island's strict width and length limits.

This is not the first time that the Island has had to look at car sizes -- in the 1980s the allowable size was increased after years of lobbying by importers. Then the problem was a reconfiguration of engines in cars which meant that they become considerably wider.

Now the problem appears to be the size of car bumpers which pushes a number of cars -- many of them in the luxury class -- over the limit.

To some extent, Bermuda is a victim of its own success -- many of Bermuda's residents are wealthier than ever and want cars which match that success.

At the same time, a free market society should provide choice which is now being limited by its car regulations.

Finally, it can be argued that bigger bumpers mean safer cars -- and on Bermuda's roads now, that counts for a lot.

Nonetheless, there are good and reasonable arguments to be made against increases in car sizes.

Choice is one thing, but Bermuda's narrow roads mean wider or longer cars and more powerful bikes could make the Island's traffic even more dangerous.

It remains a mystery why people want high performance, luxury cars in Bermuda such as BMWs and Mercedes. While their engineering quality may result in their lasting longer, they can never be used in Bermuda at the kinds of high speeds for which they were designed.

Certainly, people should have choice, but that does not mean that Bermuda is about to start allowing the importation of Humvees.

The same argument applies to larger engine bikes. It may be true that fewer bikes are being made in the 50cc to 100cc range, but that does not mean that Bermuda should start importing bikes with bigger engines. We may need to have a more limited choice and slower bikes.

Some people have argued that many people are already equipping their bikes with "kits'' which increase their power and speed and 125cc motorcycles will make little difference. Surely the answer is to prevent the importation and use of the kits, not allow bigger bikes which can then be "kitted up'' further.

Importers and consumers may be hurt by limitations on the choice of vehicles; but if less choice prevents the roads from becoming even more dangerous than they are now, then that is a small price to pay.