Background and Context
Clampdown! Police put the brakes on motorcyclists after several robberies in New Kingston.
Bikers, bearers and delivery men are an integral part of everyday business and commercial activities across Jamaica. However, having operated in a largely informal, unregulated way for many years the sector needs transformation and professionalisation. This has largely occurred as entry to the sector is not properly regulated and organised. The sector also lacks local and national collective representation that can lobby and represent their interest and welfare.
As outlined below many of those operating are not aware of the new rules and regulations that have been imposed in an attempt to bring about an orderly development.
1. Bikers complained that they ought to have received tickets for driving without insurance and allowed to continue their work.
2.”A big idiot thing a gwaan. For no insurance, dem coulda even give you a ticket. Yuh si where they come and stop, which part business place deh. No idlers nah come right yah so, badman.
3. He responded, “Mi understand weh yuh a seh but, but just gi mi a chance nuh?” He was not in possession of a licence and valid insurance papers.
4. Learner’s licence destroyed after it got wet while carrying out daily delivery duties in the rain.
5. Police seizures robbed them of their opportunity to earn an income to feed their families and complete back-to-school shopping.
6. Motorcycles were confiscated because their insurance had expired.
“We are just doing some police work. The bikemen are involved in a lot of robberies so we are trying to focus on them. They have been carrying out a lot of robberies outside financial places like the banks where they know people withdraw money. This is an ongoing drive. That’s not how it goes. If we allow you to go with the motorcycle without papers and you meet in an accident, what is going to happen to everybody else? It is going to be a problem. We can’t just think about you, we have to think about the safety of the public.”
Bearers and delivery men were most affected by police action in which most of the motorcycles were confiscated because their insurance had expired. Law-abiding bikers are also been caught up in a massive police and transport authority drag net in an attempt to identify and arrest the criminals operating among them.
This cannot continue
The Proposed Solution
NTAG is proposing five (5) townhall type meetings around the island to bring all the parties and stakeholders together.
What: NTAG Preparing Professional Bikers, Bearers And Delivery Riders For Today into 2030.
Expected Outcome: All parties leave with a clearer understanding of what is required to prepare the Commercial Professional Motorcycle Rider and Sector For Today into 2030, and what the specific roles and responsibilities are to achieve this.
Where and When:
• Mandeville
• Savanna La Mar
• Montego Bay
• Ocho Rios
• Kingston and Portmore
Presentations by:
All sessions will begin with hearing the side of the Bikers, bearers and delivery riders so we can clearly establish where they are and what gaps needed to filled and what information is lacking.
The following groups will then present, address the matters raised and other information required to complete the circle.
• Jamaica Constabulary Force – Road Traffic Unit
• Transport Authority
• Island Traffic Authority
• National Road Safety Council
• Driving School / Training School Instructor
• National Transporters Alliance Group NTAG
• RedPlate Technology
• Sponsoring companies and brands
Information Booths
These will be available for sponsoring companies on a request basis (own electricity and internet services will have to be provided)
Live Stream
All five events will be live streamed
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