Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh is reminding e-bike riders that their vehicles are treated as motor vehicles under Guyanese law and must meet the same legal requirements as any other motorised vehicle on the road including registration, certification, insurance, and a valid licence to operate.
“These e-bikes must be registered, certified and insured and persons must be licensed to ride same,” Singh said in an interview with the News Room.
Under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2023, an electric cycle is defined as any motorcycle fitted with an electric motor and an effective stopping system controlled by brakes, gear, or motor control a definition that brings e-bikes squarely within the ambit of motor vehicle legislation.
Singh said the current approach by authorities has been to prioritise public awareness, ensuring that riders understand the risks associated with e-bike use before moving to full enforcement. However, he made clear that enforcement is already underway to some degree and that safety cannot be overlooked.
“We enforce it to some extent why not the full extent? Because it demands that we recognise that it’s a means of transportation. It’s one which assists the public to move faster, to get by quicker, but at the same time we can’t neglect safety or the risk associated with its use,” Singh explained.
The Traffic Chief also addressed the growing use of e-bikes among foreign nationals, who he noted have increasingly come to rely on them as a primary mode of transportation. Under Regulations No. 21 of 2022 — The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (The Use of Foreign Issued Driver’s Licence in Guyana) foreign nationals are permitted to operate e-bikes for the first 60 days after entering Guyana, provided they hold a valid driver’s licence issued by a competent authority in their home country and carry documentation establishing their date of entry.
Once that 60-day period expires, the Guyana Revenue Authority may grant an extension where necessary. Beyond that, however, foreign nationals who continue to operate e-bikes without the required authorisation are liable to be penalised by local police.
Singh warned that non-compliance will have consequences. “If they are unlicensed after actions are taken by the Police,” he cautioned, making clear that riders local and foreign alike should ensure they are operating within the law.
