17-year-old girl on electric bike dies after being run over by truck

– sister in serious condition

Seventeen-year-old Bibi Sophia Mohammed of Non-Pareil Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Friday evening killed while her sister is battling for her life following an accident along the Coldingen Public Road, ECD.
Based on reports received, the two sisters were on an electric bike when they were struck by a truck bearing registration number GRR 3130, owned by R and B Investment. At the time it was being driven by a 67-year-old resident of Annandale, ECD.
On the other hand, the electric bike was ridden by 16-year-old Maria Mohammed while the now-dead teen was the pillion rider.

Police stated that the truck was proceeding along the Coldingen Public Road when the driver alleged that as he approached the main road, he stopped and observed the traffic before going onto the main access road.
He, however, claimed that when he drove off, he felt his lorry ‘bump up’ and upon checking, he saw the two sisters lying on the road next to an electric bike.
Persons rushed to the scene, and the girls were picked up and escorted to Georgetown Public Hospital, where they were examined but Bibi Mohammed was pronounced dead on arrival.
The young sister was admitted as a patient while the driver was taken into custody and he is assisting with investigations.
Just about two weeks ago, the Guyana Police Force reported that owners of electric bikes will have to register them with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Traffic Chief Dennis Stephens has stated “…persons below the age of 16 are advised to desist (from) riding these bikes, while those who are above 16 and ride them must have a valid motorcycle licence”.
In a subsequent interview with Guyana Times, Stephens confirmed that the Police had wanted to get this issue under control and had continued to pursue the GRA.
“We would have pushed to have those cycles registered immediately. The reason for that is because, over last year, over 7 persons would have lost their lives using this cycle, and 13 persons were injured,” Stephens explained.
“The law is clear as it relates to the age range of persons riding motorcycles, and we believe that if persons started to register those cycles, we would be able to ease most of the persons with lack of knowledge on their part…,” he continued.
However, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Friday clarified that they are not registering or licensing electric bikes (E-bikes).
In a statement, the GRA said that should these requirements be implemented in the future, they will inform the public.
“…The Guyana Revenue Authority has not commenced the registration of electric bikes, electric cycles and electric golf carts presently seen traversing the roads in Guyana,” the statement noted.
However, GRA noted that it is pursuing discussions with its sister agencies including the Guyana Police Force (GPF) regarding the requirements for importation, registration, licensing and related liability insurance for electric bikes.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Stephen told a section of the media that there is no rule in place to govern the use of electric bikes since the laws do not include them in the definition of motorcycles.
He nevertheless added that the Traffic Department has embarked on a campaign to educate persons on the dangers of these bikes on the roadways. Persons are also being informed that they will soon have to get a valid driver’s licence to operate the E-bikes.