A proposed mandate from Belize’s Ministry of Transport requiring compulsory motorcycle training is generating significant controversy, with critics warning the measures could disproportionately impact the nation’s working class. While government officials frame the initiative as a critical road safety measure aimed at saving lives, prominent businessman Lee-Mark Chang has emerged as a vocal opponent, citing economic hardships faced by existing riders.
Chang, speaking to News Five, expressed particular concern about the financial burden and time commitment the program would impose. The training course, estimated to cost between two to three hundred Belize dollars, coupled with a mandatory two-week instruction period, presents what Chang describes as an insurmountable barrier for many employed riders who live ‘hand to mouth’ and depend on weekly wages to support their families.
The businessman proposed implementing a more flexible approach that would distinguish between new and experienced drivers. While acknowledging the necessity of training for novice riders, Chang advocated for existing drivers to undergo a simplified driving test or crash course rather than the comprehensive two-week program. He further suggested implementing arrangements that would allow trainees to maintain employment while completing their certification, thereby preventing income disruption for vulnerable households.
The debate highlights the tension between public safety objectives and socioeconomic realities in the Central American nation, where motorcycles serve as essential transportation for many low-income workers. The government has yet to respond to these specific concerns regarding the proposed rollout.