‘Wrong bikers’ - Bearers say they are wrongfully labelled as thieves

The prevalence of bike robberies in the Corporate Area is affecting an unlikely victim - bearers. These bikers are often tasked with delivering documents to offices in the Corporate Area, and their bikes are used to get to these places quickly.

But they say their profession is being stigmatised because of the brazenness of those who ride bikes to steal from people.

"It disappointing and it mek people look pan yuh away weh yuh nuh wah dem look pan yuh. Yuh know yuh a nuh dem type a people deh, but it leave a bad stigma pan yuh," Keneil, a bearer of six years, told The STAR.

Keneil said he is often targeted by the police because he rides a bike to make a living.

"The police need fi stop put pressure pan di bearer, cause dem a come look pan di bearer more, and nah look pan di one dem weh outside a do dem ting. Cause dem a guh always see we, cause we a do wi work and dem ting deh. Dem need fi stop tek set pan wi. Dem need fi duh fi dem work and observe eno, because a dat a di key fi ketch dem people deh. The wrongdoers different from we working people, the clothes weh dem have on crush because dem a go grab something down there so and by time dem reach ya dem haffi go change," he said.

But he said bearers themselves are also being robbed.

"Dem not just thieving from you guys alone, when dem ketch we pan certain lonely roads, dem gone wid wi bikes to. Mi have seven co-workers weh bikes dem thief last year at gunpoint," he said.

Become fearful

Ian, who has been a bearer in the New Kingston area for 18 years, said he understand why persons become fearful when bikers approach them.

"Me witness it inna new Kingston more while. Even last week mi see a bike man just ride up and stop a man a talk to him, and pop off him chain and ride off. When mi see people a cringe, mi know how it go," he said.

Orville told The STAR that he's been a bearer in the Corporate Area for more than 20 years. He believes that there is an increase in robberies carried out by men who ride motorcycles.

"I have seen with my own eyes, bike men riding and robbing people. Dem really mek it difficult for us genuine bearers, and I sympathise with people because I mean, in times like these people a guh be careful so they might look at us a way," he said.