For the first-time motorbikes of unrestricted engine size, including classic Harley-Davidsons and powerful BMWs will be allowed to ride on Bermuda?s roads next summer.

The Island is preparing for an invasion of growling motorbikes and some may have engines up to 1600cc, more powerful than many cars on Bermuda?s roads. When they ride off the gangplank of a cruise ship in May the touring bikes will be making history, bringing for the first time unrestricted motorbikes onto the Island.

The rules of the road allow the public to use mopeds and motorbikes up to a maximum of 150cc, while the Bermuda Police Service motorcycle patrol riders have machines with 750cc but even they are likely to be put in the shade by the expected influx of Harleys, BMW, Yamaha, Suzuki and other famous bikes when the Island plays host for the first time to a motorbike cruise party.

Many Caribbean islands have for the past five years been allowing the themed cruises to visit and explore using their own bikes.

But Bermuda?s strict regulations on motorbikes have prevented such cruises from visiting the Island?s shores until now.

After two years of negotiations the first ETA Motorcycle Cruise will dock in Bermuda in May. For ETA president Steve Wallach it is the realisation of a long-term ambition to allow bike enthusiasts to explore Bermuda on their own machines.

A life-long motorbiker until he was involved in a boating accident a number of years ago, Mr. Wallach pioneered the concept of motorcycle cruise ship trips.

He has been a regular visitor to Bermuda since the 1970s and was keen to one day bring the themed cruise trips to the Island.

After extensive negotiations with authorities, including the mayors of Hamilton and St. George, he has been given the go-ahead to bring a number of trips to Bermuda this summer and has also started taking bookings for 2008 and 2009.

?In other places we have found that people visit with their motorbikes and then decide to return later ? without their bikes ? because they enjoyed it so much,? said Mr. Wallach.

?For the people there is nothing nicer than sitting down with locals and talking, there is the magnificent views and the easy accessibility of 248 miles of paved roads on an island 22 miles long.?

Talks with Customs, Police and the Tourism Ministry have led to the green light being given to the trips, the first of which will be a nine-night cruises on the from New Jersey in early May that first visits Bermuda before heading further south to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and San Juan.

There will also be a number of five-day cruises allowing bikers to experience two-days riding on the Island.

At all times the motorbiking cruise ship visitors will travel as a single group and be accompanied by members of the Island?s Long Riders motorcycle club.

They will adhere to the Island?s 35 kph speed limits and rules of the road, said Mr. Wallach.

?All the rides will be escorted and no one is allowed to go off on their own,? he added. Those taking part in the cruises will be checked for the motorcycling handling ability based on the number of road miles they have done. It is anticipated that motorcycles will make stops to allow members of the public to interact with the riders and view the visiting bikes.

Mr. Wallach adds: ?Once we get into Bermuda we want to keep coming and ensure everything runs smoothly and give us the chance to show people what Bermuda is all about.?