But the problem could be reduced if a safer alternative was offered, they told The Royal Gazette .

The dangerous pastime has been in the news since two 17-year-olds were killed on their cycles on Monday night. The road on which they were riding was notorious for pack racing.

Police have not confirmed the youths were racing. An inquest is expected.

Youths interviewed all agreed that pack racing would never stop, but some said an organised bike-racing event might help take the dangerous sport off Bermuda's roads.

And they suggested the US Naval Air Station as a venue for the races. The thrill, the speed and peer pressure associated with pack racing were a few reasons given why Bermudian teenagers will never give it up.

"Pack racing will never stop. People like to speed too much,'' said 21-year-old Mr. Michael Tavares.

However, "if there was some place to race and a set time, kids wouldn't be doing it in the middle of the night and obstructing traffic'', he added.

The main explanation for pack racing was that there is nothing else for young people to do.

Bermuda College student Mr. Jamael Tucker, 18, said: "Pack racing is a source of recreation for the youth, who have nothing better to do.'' An organised racing event would be "the only way to ensure safety,'' he added.

Twenty-two year-old Mr. Seamus Pringle agreed that supervised races could be a solution.

" An organised event would ensure a lot more safety and take away a lot of the risk,'' he said.

And Miss Angela Curtis, 18, said: "Kids will always be influenced to do it, but an organised race would prevent accidents.'' Eighteen-year-old Mr. Eddie King had mixed feelings about arranged pack races.

"It would be more fun because kids wouldn't be caught by cops,'' he said, "but it would be easy for cops to confiscate bikes with kits on them.'' However, Miss Danelle Bascome, 18, said that all types of pack racing should be banned.

"I think pack racing should stop. It should sink in that people die from it,'' she said. "People would abuse even organised race events.'' Her friend, 19-year-old Miss Neisha Smith, echoed her words.

"Pack racing might slow down because of Monday's accident, but then it will start right back where it used to be,'' she said. Pack races after sessions could never be stopped, she added.

According to Bermuda's young people, the best place to have racing events would be the long air strips at the Naval Air Station.

"Anywhere other than public roads,'' added Mr. Pringle.

Mr. Seamus Pringle Mr. Michael Tavares Miss Neisha Smith Mr. Eddie Tucker Mr.

Jamael Tucker Miss Danelle Bascome.