Department of Transport Requires License and Registration for E-Motorcycles
The Department of Transport is cracking down on electric motorcycles and scooters. The department fired off a press release on Monday reminding owners of these electric motor vehicles that they must obtain the necessary licenses and registration for use on public roads. The release also speaks to importers that sell these electric motor vehicles. News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a closer look as he seeks to uncover what falls within the definition of an electric motorcycle. Here is that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The new wave of transportation is electric and the Department of Transport is now requiring that owners of electric motorcycles obtain a motor vehicle license. But, what constitutes an electric motorcycle? According to the Department of Transport, these do. According to the department, an electric motorcycle is any vehicle mechanically propelled and intended for use on roads. They also define it as any motor vehicle with less than four wheels, weighing less than eight hundred pounds. Javier Canul, a Belize City resident has an e-bike that fits this definition.
Javier Canul
Javier Canul, E-Bike Owner (File: June 6th, 2022)
“Basically it has a button that you can push and automatically it gives you power. That power, if you just want to cruise you can just move like a motorcycle. Most of the times I try to use it like a bicycle due to the extent of my belly I try to stay in shape and suh. But in times when I am in a hurry and stuff, I switch on the button and it works.”
Today, we reached out to Canul for his thoughts on the Department of Transport’s latest release, but he was unavailable. He did, however, send us a message to say that he has read the release and based on his understanding of electric motorcycles, his e-bike does not fall into that category. Notwithstanding Canul’s objection, the department’s release reminds him and others of what is classified as electric motorcycles. Additionally, to operate such vehicles on any public road without the proper licenses, registration and protective gears is a prosecutable offense. We reached out to Diane Vasquez, the Chief Transport Officer, for comments. Up to news time, she had not responded to our request.
But perhaps a broader conversation can be had about an electric motorcycle’s cubic capacity or CC. This refers to the power of a petroleum-fueled motorcycle’s engine and its maximum speed. Whereas motorcycles generally range from three to two hundred and twenty horsepower or fifty to fifteen hundred cc, a two hundred and fifty watt bike like Canul’s packs a punch of just one third of a horse power or four cc. Canul’s electric bike is significantly less powerful than a standard fifty cc scooter. But, the Department of Transport warns that the misuse of electric motorcycles can result in serious injuries or damages to property. The department also reminds importers selling these products that they are required to obtain a Dealer’s General License. In Belize City, we reached out to two dealers.
One declined to comment and only told us the company will comply with the government’s requirements. The second informed us that they have removed electric motorcycles and bikes from their inventory, because of poor sales. Additionally, of the two companies on the island of San Pedro that rents electric bicycles to visitors, one of those companies informed us that the entire fleet is licensed and registered and that the licensing fees add approximately six hundred dollars to their annual expenses. We were unable to reach the second rental business. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
