Lee Mark Says Motorcycle Training is Too Long, Too Expensive

The Ministry of Transport’s plan to make motorcycle training mandatory is causing quite a stir tonight. Officials say it’s about saving lives on the road, but some in the business community aren’t convinced. They argue the rollout could hit working-class Belizeans hardest, especially those living paycheck to paycheck. Businessman Lee-Mark Chang told News Five the cost of the course and the two-week training requirement might be too much for riders who are already struggling to stay afloat. He’s calling for flexibility, shorter testing options and even waivers for experienced drivers.

 

Lee Mark Chang, Businessman

“I would definitely hope that of course it’s gonna be cheaper and of course the, I mean progress brings problems, of course we understand that, but two weeks is a very long time for most people that are already driving already. For the new drivers, I definitely, for sure, the training is necessary. The pricing is what concerns me. I guess about two to three hundred dollars for the courses? There are a lot of these guys that works for me, they really can’t afford up two to three hundred dollars and also the two weeks mandatory training. So I’d hope that they would probably take into consideration that the existing drivers already can just probably do a driving test, crash course. Most of the drivers in Belize, my drivers, they’re pretty much right now – sorry to say the word – like hand to mouth. So they depend on that salary every week to take care of the families or pay their bills. So I would hope that there is some type of arrangement that they can still work while they’re doing the training. So that they do not – still make money for the family.”