Having said all that, I do have a few preferences. Both of the cars that I have owned were Suzukis because I really like how they drive. Both were Class C because I really dislike being parted from my money. I’m not a huge fan of white, black or really any coloured cars besides grey… and silver, maybe? Although to be fair, that’s pretty much grey “from anotha motha”. Reigning theme here is, basically, I’m not overly adventurous when it comes to the family car. 

So when I was offered a chance to test drive a car, one that I don’t have to worry about figuring out how to afford, I totally jumped at the chance to go big. The Hyundai Kona is a Class F fully electric car. It’s not overly large by size but in terms of vroom vroom and va va voom, this car has it all. And it’s electric! You can enjoy all the perks with the added bit of smugness of being an eco-warrior. 

The Kona has the full complement of all the bells and whistles that you would expect. You know, like the rear camera so I can have an up-close view of that pole I just hit. Or the sunroof that provides my husband with the most perfectly round head sunburn. The sunglass holder, because hello, how is that not cool? It even has heated seats in the front AND the back as well as ventilated seats in the front. Not sure why but it’s still cool though (see what I did there?). And as a woman with the requisite cavernous purse, the keyless start is pretty much the best thing ever made. 

On to the electric stuff. Contrary to the belief I had, you only need to plug it in every couple of days but there’s no harm in doing it whenever. It does actually plug into the regular wall socket but that will make it charge a bit slower. Auto Solutions actually has a collab with BeSolar if you are interested in installing a plug specially for the car, cutting our fossil fuel electricity altogether. Unfortunately, you do still have to buy gas but it’s a fraction of the amount. 

The Kona is a zippy little car, that drives smoothly and quietly (like really quietly, I honestly thought it had turned off at times). It’s good for the environment, good for having that sense of superiority that we all like to have and as an added bonus, with this thing called the “re-directional charge”, your car can act as generator in a pinch. Best. Car. Ever. 

The post Hyundai Kona Electric appeared first on RG Magazines.

Cars are a big investment and, if money is tight, it can be a difficult and nerve-wracking one to make. 

It’s not just the initial cost of buying, licensing and insuring the car you have to budget for – there’s also the ongoing annual renewal fees as well as regular maintenance and fuel costs to consider. 

We spoke to the experts at Pembroke dealerships Auto Solutions and Rayclan to find out what cost-effective car options are available, as well as how to make your hard-earned dollars go further in the day-to-day running of your vehicle. 

Put simply, if you’re on a budget, go small. Not only will the initial price be lower, but so will the running costs. 

“The size of the vehicle purchased dictates the TCD (Transport and Control Department) licensing fees,” said Glen Smith, managing director of Auto Solutions. 

“The larger the vehicle, the more you will pay annually in licensing and insurance fees.” 

TCD classifies cars from A to H, with A the smallest and H the largest. The difference in licensing fees is huge: to license a private B class car annually costs $376.27, compared with $1,510.27 for an H class. The cost is halved for seniors. 

In terms of options for smaller cars, Auto Solutions has the B class Hyundai Atos for $19,995, the C class Hyundai Grand i10 for $24,995 and the C class Suzuki Ignis for $28,495. 

All three vehicles can fit up to five people and, while the Hyundai Atos is the more economical, Harry Andrews, sales and operations manager at Auto Solutions, pointed out: “It’s an automatic manual transmission. We advise potential customers to test drive it, but it’s a good value and does still fit five.” 

At Rayclan, the most cost-effective car is the B class Chevrolet Spark for $21,500, followed by the Proton IRIZ for $23,500. The latter is a D class, however, so annual TCD fees are more expensive. 

Amy Greenslade, vice president at Rayclan, explained that although small the Spark is suitable for families, adding that sometimes parents think they need a larger car for their children than they actually do. 

“These cars are designed for five normal humans and you can make things work. Need versus want is a huge thing,” she said. 

Mr Andrews echoed this sentiment: “It’s a nicety to have a big car, but do you actually need a big car? The bigger the car, the bigger the licence fee. There’s a fuel efficiency as well. With the size of the engine, your miles per gallon on a smaller car is greater than a bigger car. All that adds up over time.” 

|| BUDGETING 

Buying a car can be exciting, especially if you have been saving hard for the initial outlay. Ms Greenslade warned that it’s crucial, however, to work out the annual costs of running it and put that money aside for your birthday, when you have to renew your insurance and licensing, which together could be in the thousands of dollars. 

“Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the ‘yay, I’m getting a new car’, without taking into consideration the next year,” she said. “What I have to do myself, every month, is put money away that is reserved for when my birthday comes. If not, you’re stuck in a position that’s like, ‘oh dear, this is a huge amount of money.’” 

She advised buyers to call their insurance company and find out the rate for the following year if they have no accidents or claims and then add that to the TCD amount. 

She also recommended asking the dealerships how much an oil and filter change costs as well as a service. 

|| REGULAR MAINTENANCE 

It is a common misconception that cars only need to be serviced once a year around our birthdays. 

With many families “driving a lot more these days”, Ms Greenslade pointed out that an oil and filter change should be made at least once every 5,000 kilometres to prevent expensive engine damage. 

“You hear a lot about engines being gummed up,” she explained. “The oil needs to be changed. When you put it in, it’s like water, but if you don’t change it, it ends up like tar, which causes untold problems.” 

Maintenance doesn’t always have to involve the full service. 

“If you’ve got to do something, change your oil and your oil filter,” she continued, adding that no one should be ashamed to say what their budget limit is so the mechanics can prioritise and not do anything you can’t afford to pay for. 

In addition to regular maintenance, there are other things you can do to keep your car in good working order, which saves money in the longer run. 

“Something as simple as checking tyre pressure to make sure it’s where it needs to be will extend the life of the tyres,” Mr Andrews said. This can also reduce your fuel consumption. 

|| SECOND-HAND 

If a brand-new car is beyond your budget, both Ms Greenslade and Mr Andrews noted the second-hand market is strong but advised caution. “Just because it’s shiny and pretty doesn’t mean the inside of the engine looks good. Make sure you can get a service and maintenance record for it,” Ms Greenslade said. 

When available, you can buy second-hand cars from Rayclan. 

Mr Andrews also suggested taking a potential second-hand purchase to your usual garage, or Auto Solutions, where it can be checked. 

“Purchasing second-hand is definitely ‘buyer beware’, but there are things you can double check to ensure you’re buying with a little bit more confidence,” he said. 

“The other thing would be, what vehicle do you own now? Is it cost effective to put a little bit more money into your present vehicle which, again, we could help with. One or two little improvements or fixtures that we do could help your car last another three to five years.” 

The post Buying a Car on a Budget appeared first on RG Magazines.

The green revolution has often felt like a long, slow journey on Bermuda’s roads during the past two decades.

But with increasing numbers of electric vehicles arriving on the island this year, and a fleet of 30 electric buses being introduced by the Government, we’re closer to take-off than we’ve ever been before.

Environmental awareness is growing among local motorists, according to dealers, as people observe car manufacturers in Europe and the United States making great strides towards reducing their emissions.

And while size restrictions continue to prevent them importing larger numbers of electric vehicles, dealers have at least found ways of satisfying some of the demand.

The Hyundai Kona, India’s first all-electric SUV, has proved a big hit at Auto Solutions, with five sold and another 80 on order, of which 55 have been presold.

“We are confident in this,” said Harry Andrews, sales and operations manager at the St John’s Road dealership.

“People have done their research with the Hyundai Kona. It’s been a nice model over the years. We get a lot of feedback from customers.

“They like it because it’s F Class; all the reviews people have read have been positive. They like the look of it, it’s aesthetically pleasing. It doesn’t look like an electric car.

“There’s a market demand on the island for the electric movement.” 

The Bermuda Automobile Dealers Association has lobbied the Government in recent years to increase the maximum size for electric vehicles by two inches in length and one inch in width. 

This move, it believes, would allow many more suitable and affordable electric vehicles into Bermuda. 

A Ministry of Transport spokeswoman said: “The Ministry of Transport is considering amending the specifications under the modernisation of the Motor Car Act 1951.” 

Auto Solutions managing director Glen Smith said manufacturers also had to be persuaded to release their electric vehicles in Bermuda. 

But he said: “We built several cases to all our manufacturers that Bermuda is a place that is feasible – if you fit that size restriction you have won the Grammy Award. It worked with the Kona.” 

A total of 607 electric vehicles were licensed in Bermuda in March. This included 298 private motor cars – an increase of 63 in 12 months – as well as 186 rental mini-cars, 47 intermediate trucks, 35 auxiliary bikes, 17 motorbikes and 11 light trucks. 

Earlier this year, the Government announced its new electric buses would cut emissions by the equivalent of 1,500 cars. 

In addition to the Kona, Auto Solutions has sold all eight of a new shipment of the Honda Hybrid. Eurocar offers the Renault electric or hybrid cars Zoe, Captur, Clio and Kangoo, and is also hoping to get permission to sell the Twizy. Bermuda Motors offers the Toyota C-HR Hybrid, Kia Soul, BMW I3 and BMW 225XE IPerformance Active Tourer. 

EJ Klock-McCook, a carbon free mobility expert at the Rocky Mountain Institute, which has been advising the Government on its energy plans, believes Bermuda’s green transport revolution is ready to go. 

“Research shows that when someone in the neighbourhood gets an EV, it’s contagious,” Mr Klock-McCook said. 

“It’s certainly concludable that a highly visible project like the buses, with the media moments and people seeing them day-to-day, could have some influence in awareness over time and lead to comfort in the performance.” 

Smaller dealers have also stepped up to the plate. 

Bill Calko, the owner of Rev Automotive Ltd in Southampton, said he was “swamped with calls” after revealing he was bringing in the Volkswagen e-Up last year. 

Mr Calko also has eight clients interested in the ID 3 Volkswagen, but he will not be able to bring it in unless size restrictions are amended. 

“It’s really snowballing. I can feel it through the feedback and the clients that are calling,” Mr Calko said. 

“Once they get here, and people see them and get to touch them and drive them, it’s going to come. 

“Bermuda can lead the way in this field, 100 per cent.” 

Andre Labonte launched Evolution Motors in Pembroke with his wife Lynn last year to try to promote cleaner energy for his grandchildren’s generation. 

Mr Labonte said: “We loved our electric BMW and we thought we should be encouraging other people to get electric cars too.” 

Evolution received a shipment of five Levdeo cars from China last year, and is planning up to 40 MG SUVs by the end of this year. 

One of the most recognisable electric vehicles in Bermuda, the rental Twizy minicar, has continued to grow in popularity. 

Current Vehicles now has 120 Twizys and five Citroen Amis, and chief executive Piers Carr said it is making inroads in the local market through its shared mobility app. 

“There are 60,000 residents with varying degrees of transportation issues, with the limitations in place as far as how many cars per household,” Mr Carr said. 

“If you live in St George’s, you can pick up and drive to town one way for $6, and the leave the vehicle there. 

“You see it around the world, this trend towards shared mobility.” 

Mr Carr said he had hoped to show the potential of electric vehicles in Bermuda when he founded Current Vehicles five years ago. 

He said: “It’s not taken off as it should do. We need to make some obvious changes to the regulations, the power to weight status. Most vehicles hitting the market now don’t hit the criteria. I think that’s the big barrier. 

“But you look at how well the Kona is going to sell here – you bring a new model in and get people excited. 

“If options increase, I’m sure they will sell a ton of them.” 

Another option, of course, is the electric bike. 

Jody Place, who has sold almost 350 models from Nakada Electric Bikes in Somerset since 2017, said customers appreciate the savings on fuel and the value of exercise, as well as the environmental factor. 

“Bermudians take a while to connect,” he said. “We are far behind on electric buses and far behind on electric cars. 

“But every year when we get a shipment, 20 bikes are sold before they even arrive.” 

The post The Green Revolution appeared first on RG Magazines.

If you want some excitement this summer, then look no further than the new local jet ski league. 

Jet skiers hope to take part in race days for the first time in a decade in the contest running from May to September – and organisers are promising some spectacular sights at Ferry Reach. 

Robert Cardwell, the commodore at the Bermuda Power Boat Association which is organising the competition, said: “We’re expecting as many as 20 racers by the time we kick off, so it’s going to be pretty exciting for spectators to watch them because they come with some really powerful jet skis. They can do 80 to 100 miles per hour. 

“Jet skis are just pure excitement.” 

Mr Cardwell added that jet skis would be racing inshore, so fans will be able to see the entire race, compared with powerboats, which race both inshore and offshore. 

Dakari White is in agreement. 

Mr White, who has been instrumental in setting up the jet ski league, has loved the sport since the days his father, Delton, was actively involved. 

“The Bermuda Power Boat Association sent an invite out for the jet ski racers,” Mr White said. 

“My dad used to race jet skis in Bermuda when was I was younger so I had a background in it.” 

Mr White reflected on an amusing memory from when he was aged 7. 

“He gave me a ride and me, without having any experience, I just mashed the throttle and left him swimming in the water. I went for a nice little ride for five minutes before I realised he wasn’t with me.” 

He fondly remembers the days of going down to Ferry Reach and watching his father competing and hopes to instil that love of the sport in others. 

Mr White also has first-hand experience of speed sports of his own, having competed in semi-professional motorcycle racing in the United States. 

“The jet ski racing will be more interactive racing, especially since we will be racing inshore,” he said. 

“The boats are like you see them, then they go offshore. But with the jet skis we can have events right in front of the spectators and they’ll be able to see everything that is going on.” 

Competitors will include former racers, some new to the sport, and at least two women. 

Racing will take place in the stock class and modified class. There will also be racing on the Round The Island date in August but, due to time constraints, the jet skis will be running along North Shore to Hamilton to Dockyard then straight across to St George’s. 

“We do plan on doing a circumnavigation race, but it just won’t happen on Round The Island,” Mr White said. 

Two early rounds of the league were called off due to Covid-19 restrictions imposed by the Government, but in late April Mr Cardwell remained confident the rest of the schedule would go ahead. 

Mr Cardwell said spectators would be allowed to park along Ferry Reach and watch safely from their vehicles under Covid-19 protocols. Powerboat race days will start at 10.30am with the Junior League with jet skis running at noon and 2pm, while powerboats will race at 1pm and 3pm. 

The post Pure Excitement of Jetskis appeared first on RG Magazines.

The key to staying safe in a hurricane lies in being prepared – and that includes getting the right insurance for your vehicle. 

Bermuda’s motor insurers provided advice on best practice, with the June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season quickly approaching. 

Damian Pitcher, assistant general manager at Coralisle Group (CG) said: “Review your insurance coverage prior to the storm. It is common for persons to believe they can claim from the property owner if the slate from the property owner’s roof is blown into their car and causes damage during a storm. 

“This is incorrect as the property owner is unlikely to be held liable due to a storm. This is why it’s best to insure your vehicle under a comprehensive policy to ensure you are fully covered.” 

Mr Pitcher also gave tips on what to do if your vehicle is damaged by high winds. 

He said: “Safeguard the vehicle to limit further damage, take photographs of the damage, notify your insurer in writing as soon as possible, and secure a repair estimate to submit to your insurer.” 

A spokesperson for BF&M said: “Should you need to make a claim about damages, take pictures of the damage if you can and include them with the claims submission form, along with a repair estimate. If you’re a BF&M customer, you can fill in the required form online and submit information via our website at any time. 

“If you cannot park the vehicle in a garage, park it away from trees and buildings to reduce the risk of damage from falling debris.” 

The property and casualty team at Freisenbruch-Meyer said: “When a hurricane passes through, most damage we are all familiar with happens to our homes or building structure. 

“But after every storm there are individuals who find that, despite best efforts to protect their prized possessions, something has happened to their vehicle that has caused significant damage. 

“What people need to know is that the damage would be covered under most local comprehensive motor policies. So they should contact their insurance company to report the claim as soon as they are able, and ideally with photos of the damage. 

“The insurer will advise whether they need to physically inspect the vehicle or if the vehicle owner should take it directly to a garage to obtain estimates – and if more than one estimate will be required. 

“Once estimates are obtained, the insurer will agree an amount with the owner to have the vehicle repaired, less any deductible. Depending on the circumstances, the insurer may pay that amount directly to the owner or, more commonly, would pay the garage for the repairs on their behalf.” 

Insurers also shared advice in response to at least six suspicious car fires that took place in Bermuda in March. 

Mr Pitcher of CG said: “Ensure your vehicle is serviced by a reputable mechanic/service technician regularly – at least once yearly.” 

He added: “Safeguard your vehicle as best as possible.” 

The BF&M spokesperson said: “Reduce the chances of your vehicle becoming a target by parking your vehicle securely on your property, or on a well-lit street if possible. 

As an additional general piece of advice, the spokesperson for BF&M added: “Vehicle thefts have been on the rise lately, and it makes sense not to leave keys in the ignition and not to leave valuables in the vehicle. 

“Should you ever need it, remember that BF&M offers 24/7 roadside assistance for bikes, cars and taxis to our motor customers who selected that service.” 

The post EXPERT ADVICE: Insure your vehicle against storm damage appeared first on RG Magazines.

Now Jane Smith knows how her own stepmother felt when she learnt to ride a motorcycle all those years ago. 

“My stepmom used to stay up when I was starting to ride my bike at 16. She said I just want to make sure you get home,” Jane said. 

“I didn’t understand it at the time. But oh my gosh, I get it now. You can’t sleep until your children are in the house.” 

It’s Jane turn to be worried now because her own daughter A’Mya is learning to ride her bike, a few weeks before she turns 16. 

Much has changed on Bermuda’s roads since Jane, now 51, first learnt to ride a bike back in the 1980s. 

More cars, faster bikes, unpredictable behaviour from road users and an increased sense of urgency from St George’s to Dockyard mean it’s never been scarier for a new rider – or their anxious parents. 

“You definitely have to have your eyes everywhere,” Jane said. 

“You have to think for yourself and everyone else. It’s very dangerous now because they just don’t respect the rules. 

“People overtake on corners, they seem to think nothing is going to happen to them. Just the other day, I was looking at this guy on a bike – he slowed down, and up he went on his back wheel. 

“It’s going to be an extreme worry, especially for new riders. They may not always know what to look out for. You have to have your eyes everywhere.” 

Jane realises getting that first bike is a rite of passage endured by thousands of Bermudian 16-year-olds over the years. 

“I was 16,” she recalled. “I had a Yamaha V50 which my boyfriend at the time – he’s now my husband – fixed up for me. 

“I loved being able to go out when I felt like it. You didn’t have to ask anybody to take you. Hanging out with your friends and stuff. It was nice. 

“But my stepmom used to really worry a lot. When my eldest daughter went 16, I finally understood what my stepmom meant. 

“It’s hard to believe A’Mya is going 16. You have to let them go. You can’t protect them from everything forever. You have to trust them.” 

Like Jane 35 years ago, A’Mya is looking forward to one thing most of all: “Independence!” 

She has had to rely on the bus or her parents giving her lifts when she wants to meet friends or go to church meetings, but will soon be making those trips on the Piaggio Liberty 50cc she received as a gift from a cousin. 

“I like hanging out,” she said. “I like looking at nature. I will be able to just go anywhere now. I can go to St George’s, I can go to Dockyard. It will be really nice to do that.” 

Jane is comforted that A’Mya has been taking part in the Project Ride safety programme designed to give teenagers basic skills so they can get a Bermuda Youth Licence. 

A’Mya has already been practising how to stay within a tight space, turning, braking and making hand signals, which she described as “a little difficult”. 

By the end of the course, A’Mya will have completed 12 hours learning about general road use, traffic laws and safe procedures on Bermuda’s congested roads. 

A’Mya acknowledges it’s not been easy. 

“Especially on Bermuda’s roads,” she said. “They’re often narrow and there’s lots of corners. You have to learn to slow down on the corner, especially if it’s slippery when it’s raining, so you don’t get into an accident. 

“I still ride my pedal bike. I think that helps you with balance.” 

Project Ride, sponsored by the Road Safety Council, is directed by the Transport Control Department in partnership with the Department of Education. 

Students are taught the art of strategic riding, and shown how to be caring and responsible with a defensive attitude towards the road. 

It includes advice on basic bike maintenance, common traffic offences and licensing a bike, and by on completion of the course students are given a 10 per cent discount on their bike insurance. 

It’s all a far cry from when Jane learnt to ride. 

“When we were young, I knew how to ride a bike. My daddy taught me how to drive as well,” she said. 

“He let me on the road when I was 14. We were taught how to ride. It was just different back then. Everybody taught each other how to do stuff. 

“Today we are trying to teach them to be streetwise and to know what’s going on. Look around you. 

“I think a lot of children probably do get on the road and they don’t have any real experience. 

“I rode a couple of years ago. I couldn’t believe how bad it was. I was dipping and slipping. I think you have to try to find a balance, be in the centre of your lane.” 

She added: “I have to pray and ask God to protect them. If they are sensible and have their wits about them, for the most part they are pretty safe.” 

A’Mya can also count on expert advice from her father, Josonne Smith, a former rider of Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club. 

Josonne said: “This came too fast! I wasn’t prepared to be honest. She reminded me a couple of months ago and I was like, she’s going 16! 

“For us, it’s nerve-wracking but at the same time it’s recognising that they are able to have some kind of independence. 

“In Bermuda, that’s the first step of growing up I guess.” 

The post Rite of Passage: Teenager A’Mya learns to ride a motorbike – just like her mom 35 years ago appeared first on RG Magazines.

The trusty Kia Picanto has undergone a “facelift” that brings a fresh look to the island’s top-selling car. 

While its racy new image does catch the eye, there are a couple of features that take this upgrade beyond the mere superficial. 

The display unit is bigger and better at eight inches, and the rear view camera with parking guidelines is now a standard feature along with the existing iPod USB port, and Bluetooth hands free. 

It’s “fully loaded”, I’m told by my rep at Bermuda Motors, the car’s exclusive dealer which expects to shift about 20 Picantos per month. 

The leather-look seats (or real leather if you fancy spending just over a thousand extra) are especially comfy with their sleek feel and hugging design. 

It is as much the little city slicker as its predecessor: manoeuvrable, compact, obedient and a cinch to steer – all you need to get you through Hamilton’s tight spots. 

The Kia Picanto’s mini makeover is largely cosmetic but one that that makes for a more sophisticated look overall. 

The distinctive, alternatively-coloured accents on either side of the front grill are gone. A pop of colour instead comes from a horizontal slit between the headlights. The car has retained its coloured stripe along the side for those who care about these details – I have to admit, the contrast between some combinations is quite striking like the white accent on a red body. 

The back end of the new model is decorated with two chrome faux exhaust pipes whose sole function, seemingly, is to emit an air of bravado. The actual exhaust is concealed under the car. 

The lower taillights have been revamped and are now thin strips to no obvious benefit other than to look chic. 

The aquamarine highlights inside some of the cars, on a mostly black interior, adds a futuristic touch. 

The Kia Picanto 2021 provides a refreshing change from its 2017 counterpart which has basically dominated Bermuda’s roads since its release. 

There are many reasons for its popularity on an island like Bermuda. 

Small is good for those wishing to save a buck – 2020 was a brutal year for many financially and this car doesn’t break the bank. It’s Class B, so cheap to license and at $22,995 ($24,200 with leather upholstery) it’s reasonable. The five-year warranty is a particularly welcome perk. 

The driving itself is comfortable. It’s not too nippy on the speed front or too sensitive on the brakes – the car just stops comfortably. 

It’s a smooth and quiet drive with wide open view. 

The Kia Picanto’s racy image defies its attention to safety detail. As is standard nowadays, it comes with an anti-lock braking system which helps reduce the risk of skidding under a hard brake. This safety feature is coupled with electronic stability control: wheel sensors that can detect the beginning of a slide and automatically apply light braking to individual wheels to help regain stability. 

When you stop on a hill, if you take your feet off the brake, you won’t reverse and there are dual airbags. 

The car offers comfort and security. 

The Kia is practical but fun and can accommodate a small family. While it has the advantage of being small, it most certainly doesn’t feel cramped on the inside. There was more than enough room for my 15-month-old daughter and her car seat on the test drive, and it can accommodate a second child seat, with a third child with a seatbelt. The 60/40 backseat fold down options means it is adaptable – you can carry large luggage or fit in a good day’s worth of beach gear and the car still accommodates a little one comfortably. 

The post TEST DRIVE: Kia Picanto – Comfort & Security appeared first on RG Magazines.

Looking for that SUV, state-of-the-art, feeling but not all that big of a fan of large cars that can make driving on Bermuda’s roads a bit hard to handle if you aren’t… um, all that good at handling large cars? Well, have I got the car for you! I got a chance to test drive the Hyundai Venue. 

(Did you know it was supposed to be said like “Sun-day”? Yeah, me neither. Learn something new every day and this is yours for today. You are welcome.) 

Back to the car. The details. So, it’s a class E (this is always important to me to know). It has 1,600cc which, from driving it, I’m going to assume means it can go fast. It comes in all those amazing and fun colours I am never brave enough to get my cars in, like red or white… or is that really lava orange? Acid yellow? 

What colour is acid yellow? You can even get it two tone in combinations like a normal grey and acid yellow mix. I mean, OK. But the piece de resistance for the outer stuff? A sunroof option. I’ve never had a sunroof. I’m not even sure what a sunroof is actually used for besides those ones in limos that you see prom girls squealing out of in movies, but it is pretty cool. 

It has all those fun things on the inside as well, like the touchscreen/ Bluetooth stereo system and the fob key system thingy so I no longer constantly lose my keys… unless, of course, I actually lose my bag. It has the rear-view monitor too so my husband might even learn how to parallel park. OK, no he won’t but its still a great thing to have. 

For safety, it has like 18,000 airbags (OK, five) and that ISO anchor for kid seats (and the space in the back seats for one of those AND a couple more regular kids without having to make them squish up). 

It has all the light options to see when you are over the middle line, even at night which yeah, some people may need more than others. Anti-braking, various stop and drive controls, disc brakes, you know, the boring but totally necessary stuff. Oh, and a front cup holder and that place to put your sunglasses. 

It even has heated seats! According to sales guys, there are cars out there with air condition seats, which, beyond having no clue how that would work, I’m totally one of those always cold people (read: a woman) so heated seats seems like the biggest luxury to me. Even more than the sunroof. Oh yes, another cool thing, so you know that trunk cover thing that you remove that one time you need to put anything larger than a suitcase into the back and promptly lose to the ether? It slides away! Slides! How has this not always been a thing? It really should have always been a thing but hey., this car has it so I guess now it is. A thing, that is. The trunk also drops down, which is just as cool, I guess. 

All in all, it is a great car with all the bells and whistles you could conceivably want with a rather attractive cost of $35,000 standard and an SUV feel without overdoing that. It also has enough colour options for those people who aren’t as scared of “bright” as I am. I really enjoyed driving this car and if it sounds like the car for you, you will too. And if anyone wants to let me know how the heated seats work for you, I can live vicariously through your warm tushy. 

The post TEST DRIVE: Hyundai Venue – Luxurious But Safe appeared first on RG Magazines.

Us Bermudians, we get a lot of things right in my opinion. Like our music, our unique holidays, our community-based culture. Our fishcakes. In a word, for the most part, we are kinda awesome.

Things we do not get right? Banana flavouring in cocktails, occasionally customer service and painting our houses in gaudy fluorescent colours. There are more on both sides, but the big one? Driving. We are really quite bad at driving. Not all of us mind you, but some of us really need to get our licences revoked. And our hands smacked. Or glasses… could it be that maybe some of us really need to get glasses? Whatever the reason, Bermudians en bloc are notoriously bad at driving. But hey, don’t take my word for it. Just spend one moment on our roads.

OK, let me roll that back a bit. Not ALL Bermudians. It just seems like all of them at times. Not me, though. It goes without saying, I am obviously the best driver on the roads at any given time. No, you don’t have to ask around, trust me, it’s totes true. Narrator: *it isn’t*.

But yeah, I suppose that there are some of us that do notice that the middle line is actually a thing and that “making the nip” shouldn’t need the opposing vehicle to literally stop in the middle of the road.

There may be even some of us that don’t believe that stopping on a roundabout to let traffic out is ever a good idea or even that slamming your brakes to let just about anyone out onto the main road will not be a hazard to the poor unfortunate soul who happens to be behind you (hopefully not tailgating). To that point, there are definitely some of us that believe that driving literally one inch away from the bumper of the guy in front of you will not actually result in them going any faster nor will it give you a better chance of overtaking them the minute you see a hint of a clear stretch (even if that stretch includes a blind corner). Oh, and do not let me get started on the whole overtaking on a blind corner thing. I value my life and I value my no claims discount so that’s never a good idea.

There are even some of us that have the presence of mind to understand that if I have an issue keeping my car on my side of the road already, it’s probably not going to be a great idea to drive at speed down Harbour Road. Understand your and, by extension, your car’s limitations. Probably more your car’s, to be fair. A good driver could make those curves. If you can’t then, and not to be the bearer of bad news or anything, you are not the good driver of that example.

But oh, the pet peeve, the biggest pet peeve. If you in your need to be somewhere ten minutes before you actually left your house (as being late is pretty much in the DNA of Bermudians), is under the impression that inching out into traffic from a side street as a visual hint that your vehicle rights matter more than mine on the main road… rest assured, I will veer around you and give you Cheryl’s patented dirty glare. I saw that glare too many times as her daughter growing up and, believe me, it is not something to be ignored.

I could offer more examples but unfortunately I really do have to get going so that I can double park outside of KFC. It’s takeout night! Now, where did I put my glasses again? 

The post Stick to Your Lane! appeared first on RG Magazines.

He spends his weekdays battling in Bermuda’s courtrooms as one of the island’s most high-profile defence lawyers. 

At the weekend, Charles Richardson recharges his batteries by doing Next to Nuffin. 

Mr Richardson says relaxing on Bermuda’s beautiful waters on his 30-foot Sea Ray Weekender is the perfect way to wind down from his pressurised job. 

“Life can be very demanding, and that’s why I enjoy my boat so much in the summer,” he said. 

“When I’m on my boat I’m just the guy who owns Next to Nuffin, sitting there with a cold beer in my hand, dangling my feet over the edge.” 

And while the strains of the modern world have taken an increasing toll on many people, Mr Richardson believes the antidote is within our immediate surroundings. 

Escaping on to the water is a great stress reliever,” he said. 

“It’s pretty strange but, when we are on the water, there’s an artificial dislocation between you and whatever is happening on land in Bermuda. 

“You can use that in a positive or negative way. You can indulge those sides of yourself that you don’t want anyone to see, or you can absorb the peace that is all around you. 

“There’s nothing as soothing as floating across the water at a comfortable speed, enjoying the peace around you, hearing that liquid lapping at the side of the boat, the sound of the splash. 

“It’s a combination of the sights, sounds and motions of the boat that all come together in an alchemic mix that creates such a nice environment.” 

Mr Richardson bought the vessel two years ago at “a very friendly price” – hence its name. 

It has a full sound system, 32- inch TV, fully operational bathroom, microwave and fridge and can sleep four people. 

Mr Richardson, 49, said: “It’s not too big where I can’t run it by myself if I want, but I can also use it to entertain a number of people. 

“I have always been interested in boats but this only came at a time in my life when I was able to afford to break into the market. 

“I’m like a lot of middle aged black men. It isn’t until later in our lives that we are able to finally have the money to do it. 

“We are finding that more and more of us are running boats now.” 

The lawyer, who has also sealed an agreement to operate a 34-foot Phoenix this summer, expects more people to take advantage of the water as the impact of Covid-19 continues into a second year. 

“People seem to feel a sense of restriction being on land,” he said. “If you have a bubble, you can literally move that bubble from wherever it is to a boat and have a great time and still maintain a sense of safety.” 

Police have stressed that social distancing is required on the water, while the Water Safety Council has been campaigning for tougher rules on drink boating. 

Mr Richardson added: “I just want people to stay safe. It’s very beautiful on a boat and you can be lulled into a false sense of security. 

“I thoroughly encourage people to go out and have a good time, but don’t ever forget that one little momentary lapse in attention can cost you your life out there. 

“You either have to limit the amount of alcohol you consume or bring another designated driver who can take over the boat if you’ve had a few drinks.” 

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