…says riders need necessary licences to do so
The Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, has made it clear that no person under the age of 16 years old should be riding an electric bike.
He told Guyana Times on Tuesday, during a telephone interview, that these bikes travel at a reasonable speed, and children often lack the knowhow and road safety knowledge to control these bikes; thus, they endanger not only their own lives, but those of other road users.
Emphasising that the police are guided by amendments made to the law, the Traffic Chief has promised that the police would take strict measures based on those regulations.
He said owners are required to ensure their e-bikes meet specific standards and pass several tests before being ridden.
“The law has been amended to define what an electric motorcycle, or e-bike, is. The police are guided by the amendment on how to take action. (An owner is) required to register the e-bike, certify it for fitness, and ensure it is insured,” he detailed.
“Additionally, there is a requirement for riders to be licensed. So, a 10-year-old or anyone below 16 cannot be riding one of these bikes. These practices are prohibited,” Singh explained.
The Traffic Chief has expressed concern that riders of motorcycles are eschewing the use of helmets, and he has stressed that such riders are mandated by law to wear helmets.
“Look at it from two sides: not wearing a safety helmet is an offence; it’s a ticket offence. As far as we see riders without helmets, and where officers are deployed, we issue tickets,” he declared.
The Traffic Chief has also said the public must understand that police can, in no way, force riders to use their helmets. “However, if the police encounter a motorcycle owner without a helmet, we can provide them with a helmet, put it on their head, and tell them to wear it. The responsibility lies with the owner,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of public sensitization, Singh highlighted that although the Home Affairs Ministry has distributed free helmets, people have failed to wear them.
“The Ministry shares out thousands of helmets for free every year. They (riders) receive them today, and by tomorrow, what do they do? Go back to old habits! It’s the usual style. So, you see, there are two sides to the coin,” Singh remarked. “We sensitize the public to create greater awareness. We give helmets out for free when available, and we issue tickets to everyone we catch violating the law.”
The Traffic Chief declared, “Every rider, whether on a motorcycle or e-bike, has been told it is necessary to wear a safety helmet the moment you mount the vehicle. Put it on, clip it, and strap it down.”
This simple act, he said, can significantly reduce the severity of injuries and save riders from life-threatening head trauma in the event of an accident.
Amendments were made to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic laws in 2023 with intention to regulate the use of electric bikes, Singh disclosed. The new regulatory framework aims to address the rising number of road fatalities and incidents involving electric bikes. The bill was passed in the National Assembly in April 2023.
Supported unanimously in Parliament, the Bill, which defines electric cycles as motorcycles with electric motors and effective braking systems, mandates that riders of electric cycles adhere to the same registration and usage rules as are applicable to conventional motorcycles.
