after Bermuda's seventh traffic-related death this year.

And in one proposal he is asking road groups to consider a total ban on bikes with kickstands.

Mr. Furbert is already set to ask Works and Engineering Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge to put new safety signs along a notorious bend on Middle Road, Southampton.

The bend claimed the lives of Mark North and Ewan Sampson in separate bike crashes last month.

And 17-year-old Ewan stood no chance of avoiding an oncoming bread van when his kickstand fell to the floor as he left a nearby gas station.

Mr. Furbert said: "I would like all the relevant road users and safety groups to consider a possible ban on the kickstands.

"I'm not saying necessarily that they are more dangerous than the double-stands underneath bikes but I spoke with Ewan's father the other day and he said it might be worth considering.

"Most of our rental bikes on the Island are scooters and they only have the double stands underneath bikes.

"So first of all we need the cycle community to look at this idea and if it gains support, we will try to craft some new legislation.'' He said slow or sharp bend signs could soon be in place at the accident spot on Middle Road.

George Morton Jnr., chairman of the Road Safety Council, said: "The kickstand ban is an interesting concept and if it's thought they are more dangerous than the double stands, then I support a new law.

"I'll definitely share this idea with the Council. And I would also like to see a frequent accident sign on that bend on Middle Road.

"Our thoughts now go out to the family of Ashanti Smith, killed in a car crash on Saturday.

"But despite all these safety measures, we must all remember the need to drive more slowly.'' He said board members of the Road Safety Council held an emergency meeting two days after Bermuda's roads claimed horse rider Jason Jones as their sixth victim this year.

And he welcomed the latest Police drink-drive figures, which showed a drop in the number of motorists failing breath tests.

Mr. Morton added: "We want all those bereaved families to know that we are taking the challenges ahead of us extremely seriously and we are already trying to address concerns and change behaviour.

"Our plan now is to remind people of the consequences of irresponsible behaviour.

"We are scheduling a comprehensive media blitz, to consistently advise the public rather than badger them or point fingers. The aim is to get that campaign going within weeks.'' David Panshaw, Chairman of the Bermuda Cycle Rental Association, said: "If the kickstands fall down, you can get a lot of sparks and some scary moments.

"We take them off our bikes because tourists are not so used to riding and it's a safety precaution.

"But having said that, I'm really not convinced they are more dangerous than the double-stands. I honestly couldn't see an advantage or disadvantage in having them removed.'' Selwyn Berkeley, 25, was stable in intensive care last night after driving Ashanti Smith in the red Subaru which crashed head-on with a van on North Shore Road, Devonshire.

He suffered injuries to his leg, foot, jaw and teeth.

The 43-year-old van driver was stable on a general ward with a broken leg and ribs. Her eight-year-old son was recovering from facial cuts and a bruised lung, while her nine-year-old daughter escaped the smash unhurt.