Motorcycle Riders Plan Belize City Protest Over New Licensing Regulations

A group of motorcycle riders is preparing to take to the streets in protest over proposed legislation that would introduce new regulations governing motorcycle licensing for owners and operators.  Love News understands that the Belize Police Department has issued an official permit authorizing the group to stage a public protest next week, as riders seek to demonstrate against measures they say could place added financial and administrative burdens on motorcycle users.  While plans for the protest move forward, the Government has signaled that the legislative process will continue. Speaking earlier today on Love FM’s Morning Show, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Transportation, Chester Williams, confirmed that the Ministry intends to push ahead with the proposed law, though he acknowledged that some amendments are being considered following public feedback from stakeholders.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “We are still in discussion. Cabinet is discussing the matter further and there may be additional modification to the legislation. And so I would rather wait until cabinet finish discuss the issue and have made whatever modification that needs to be made before I discuss further on it. But certainly yes we are looking at the seniority of riders, the training and the hours that they may be allowed to train. We’re listening to the people and I am sure that the prime minister, you all know the type of person the prime minister is. He’s a person who does listen to the people and where he sees that there’s a need for adjustment then he’d normally do so. So the cabinet is going to deal with that issue I believe this coming Tuesday and then we’ll see how we go from there.” 

Williams said that the goal of the legislation is to improve safety standards and accountability across the motorcycle sector but noted that authorities remain open to making adjustments to address reasonable concerns raised by riders.  The proposed changes have generated significant debate among motorcycle users, who argue that the new requirements could limit access to affordable transportation, particularly for working-class commuters who rely heavily on motorcycles as their primary mode of travel.  With a licensed protest now scheduled for next week, riders are expected to use the demonstration to publicly call for greater consultation and revisions to the regulations before the legislation is finalized