‘Lock up the culprits’- Traffic Chief backs tougher enforcement amid wanton e-cycle misuse

Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh has called for a stronger, collective approach to addressing the growing misuse of electric cycles on the roadways, emphasising that enforcement, not education alone, is needed to curb unsafe practices.

Speaking during an interview with the News Room, Singh said while the Guyana Police Force has been focusing on traffic education to raise awareness, many e-cycle users continue to disregard the law.

“We utilise traffic education as the means to raise awareness- how, where, and when these cycles should be used.

“But when they come on the public roadways, they must be properly registered, licensed, and the riders must wear helmets,” Singh said.

The Traffic Chief noted that despite these efforts, roughly 90 per cent of the cases involve unregistered and uncertified e-cycles, often operated by children below the age of 16.

He reminded that under the current regulations, e-cycles must be registered, certified, and issued with a fitness and revenue licence before they are sold or used.

“The law was amended in 2023 to make registration obligatory.

“From the moment it is imported, it must now be registered and meet all the conditions before being sold,” Singh pointed out.

According to Singh, parents also have a key role to play, urging them to be more responsible when purchasing e-cycles for minors.

“Parents take the opportunity to buy them for children below the age of 16,” he said, describing it as a worrying trend that places young riders at risk.

However, he believes that stronger enforcement actions, including seizing unregistered e-cycles, issuing tickets, and prosecuting repeat offender,s may be necessary to bring about meaningful change.

Singh also told the News Room that about seven per cent of e-cycle incidents in 2022 resulted in fatalities, underscoring the urgency of compliance.

“We need to see the public complying with the rules of the road and the laws that govern the use of these electric cycles,” he said.