Traffic dept concerned as parents allowing children to use e-bikes

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is pleading with parents to discontinue the practice of allowing their underaged children to utilise electric-bikes, noting that not only is it illegal, but it also puts their children’s lives at risk.
During a recent broadcast of the televised programme ‘Road Safety and You’, the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) along with Region Three Divisional officers reported an increase in the use of e-bikes by students under 16 years.
Not only is it illegal for persons under the age of 16 to operate these vehicles, it also puts their lives at risk since children are often uneducated about the rules of the road.
According to the Chairman of GNRSC, Earl Lambert, the act has become an issue of public safety and the Regional Division is engaging parents to rectify the issue.
“Yes, these electric cycles are economically in a sense that it gets you from point A to point B within a reasonable time, but one of the most important thing is knowing to use it on the road because by itself it a vehicle and if you don’t know to ride, you don’t have experience on how to use the road-putting a child on one of those bikes is actually putting the child’s life at risk,” Lambert explained.

Sensitisation
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is taking steps to educate road users about the amendments made to the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act Cap 51:02 in relation to the regulation of e-bikes.
This includes parent and youths given that it is important for e-bike users to familiarise themselves with these laws and adhere to them, in order to ensure their safety as well as other road users.
Additionally, when-bike users are stopped, instead of facing legal charges, they are provided with valuable information on safe road usage, defensive driving techniques, and the process of obtaining a driver’s license, among other relevant topics.
The Chairman of Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) disclosed that this programme is part of efforts to reduce the occurrence of e-bike related accidents.
“In many instances we speak of the younger people losing their lives and it is sad to know that it is an ongoing thing and it is not that efforts are not being made to ensure that people use the road in a safe manner”.
“Guyana is now moving going places and we have a small population and we are hoping that our young people can grow and realize their full potential in this oil rich country,” the Chairman added.

Amended law
Section Two of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act was amended in May 2023 to regulate the use of electric cycles. It defines an electric cycle as any motorcycle that has an electric motor and is fitted with an effective stopping system controlled by the use of brakes, gears, or motor control.
In practical terms, electric cycles would be subject to the same rules and regulations as motorcycles, regarding registration and use.
The regulatory framework which was presented to the National Assembly by Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, aims to address the alarming increase in road fatalities and incidents involving electric bikes.
In July last year, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) began to register e-bikes. Among the requirements for registration, persons must be he holder of a valid driver’s licence. (G1)