Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh says while Police have been focusing on public awareness surrounding e-bike use, riders must comply with legal requirements, including registration, insurance and licensing.
“These e-bikes must be registered, certified and insured and persons must be licensed to ride same,” Singh said during an interview with the News Room.
He explained that e-bikes are treated as motor vehicles under the law, and as such, riders must meet the same legal requirements.
According to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2023, electric cycle means any motorcycle that has an electric motor and is fitted with an effective stopping system controlled by use of brakes, gear or motor control.
“Our approach to e-bikes generally has been to raise awareness to such an extent that each person who has one or is using one they understand the risk associated with the use of same,” Singh said.
According to Singh, enforcement is being carried out, but not to its fullest extent, as authorities balance regulation with the growing use of e-bikes. “We enforce it to some extent why not the full extent? Because it demands that we recongise that it’s a means of transportation. It’s one which assist the public to move faster, to get by quicker but at the same time we can’t neglect safety or the risk associated with the safety in its use,” Singh explained.
The Traffic Chief also noted the increasing use of e-bikes among foreign nationals as a main mode of transportation. He explained that foreign nationals are allowed to operate e-bikes for the first 60 days upon entering Guyana. This, Singh said, is catered for in a domestic license which are granted to them from their country of origin.
According to the Regulations No. 21 of 2022 – The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (The Use of Foreign Issued Driver’s Licence in Guyana), a person not resident in Guyana shall be permitted to drive on a road for a period of sixty days after his entry into Guyana without a driver’s licence as required by section 23(1) provided that he is the holder and in possession of a valid driver’s licence issued by a competent authority in the country of his residence along with such documents which shall establish the date of his entry into Guyana.
Once this period elapses, the Guyana Revenue Authority can grant foreign nationals an extension if there is a need. However, afterward, they can be penalised by local Police.
Singh warned that those not complying with the law will face action. “…If they are unlicensed after actions are taken by the Police,” he added.
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