By Alva Solomon

CLOSE to 300 motorcycles operated by riders from neighbouring Brazil rode into Lethem on an “international motorcade” on Sunday, and the town’s mayor says he is deeply concerned by the event.Reports are that the mid-morning event commenced at the border when the bikers — who rode various models of motorcycles, including the famous Harley-Davidson brand — assembled at the border checkpoint. After clearing immigration, the male and female bikers rode into Lethem through several streets as the town’s residents looked on.

There reportedly were more than 500 persons who crossed the border on the bikes, since many carried pillion riders. The numbers were considered significant in terms of the number of “foreign bikers” assembling in one day at one of Guyana’s newest towns. The bikes included customised rides with specially designed colours and insignias.

Lethem mayor, Carlton Beckles, told this publication that the bikers rode around the town without seeking permission from the municipality. “I will be sending a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because I am very much perturbed by this,” he said.

Beckles noted that one of the organisers of the event had called him on Saturday afternoon and requested that he address the bikers at Lethem, but this was not possible because he was out of town. He noted that the request, coming the day before the event, did not consider the municipality’s mandate of managing the affairs of the town.

He said it was the first time he had been aware that such a large gathering of bikers had assembled in the border town, and he noted that persons would, from time to time ride across to Lethem from Boa Vista in small groups.

The bikers are planning a much larger event at Boa Vista later in the year, and many Guyanese riders from Lethem are slated to join them.