A popular Weymouth car and motorbike meet has been temporarily suspended after organisers said a small number of attendees ignored instructions from volunteer marshals and decided to “do their own thing”.
The decision means Weymouth Bike and Car Night will not return until 3 September, with organisers making it clear that there will be no authorised gathering on the promenade during the three-week break.
And while the vast majority of people attending the weekly event appear to have behaved responsibly, it is the actions of a minority that have once again raised an uncomfortable question: why do some people seem incapable of following a few simple rules when doing so allows everyone else to enjoy themselves?
The meet-up has become a regular feature of Weymouth’s summer calendar. Every Thursday evening between April and September, enthusiasts gather around the Jubilee Clock before displaying their cars and motorcycles along the promenade.
It is not simply about showing off vehicles. It brings people together, attracts visitors and raises money for nominated local charities through a small charge for displaying vehicles.
The event also relies heavily on volunteers, including marshals and members of road safety charity DocBike, who give their time to help ensure everything runs safely.
That makes the reported behaviour of some attendees particularly frustrating.
Organisers said a small number of participants ignored requests from marshals and volunteers and instead “decided to do their own thing”. Exactly what motivates people to disregard those responsible for safety is difficult to understand.
Nobody is suggesting that enthusiasts should not enjoy their cars or motorcycles. Quite the opposite. The whole point of the event is to provide a place where people can share their passion in a public and organised environment.
But organised events only work when people accept that their individual freedom has limits.
If a marshal asks someone to move, slow down, stop or comply with an instruction designed to keep pedestrians and other participants safe, the answer cannot simply be: “I’ll do what I want.”
Because once that attitude takes hold, it is not just the individual causing the problem who suffers.
Everyone loses.
The organisers lose an event they have worked hard to establish. Volunteers lose the opportunity to support it. Local businesses potentially lose visitors. Charities lose fundraising opportunities. And thousands of responsible enthusiasts lose something they look forward to every week.
Weymouth Town Council has said the safety of participants, the public, staff and volunteers is its “highest priority” and that it looks forward to welcoming the event back in September.
Hopefully, when it returns, the message will be understood.
Enjoy the cars. Enjoy the bikes. Enjoy the atmosphere.
But follow the rules.
Because nobody should be allowed to ruin something enjoyed by thousands simply because they cannot manage to behave responsibly for a couple of hours.
