Motorcycle Protest Fizzles Despite Bold Threats

Motorcycle riders had threatened to take to the streets in protest of new regulations proposed by the Ministry of Transport, rules they say would increase costs and add unnecessary new requirements for everyday riders. But when protest day arrived, the turnout was far smaller than organizers had hoped, raising questions about just how widespread the opposition really is. Despite the disappointing show, organizers insist the concerns remain real and say riders stayed away for a variety of reasons, from work obligations to fear of victimization. Here’s what one of the protest leaders had to say.

 

On the Phone: Sylvia Waight, Protest Organizer

“I am disappointed though. I must say this, I am disappointed in those who gave their word that they would attend and didn’t show up because I did quite a bit of campaigning and I am sure that I handed out leaflets, flyers to more than what to me seemed like twenty motorcycles in the motorcade. I’m not sure if it was twenty but didn’t seem as much as those people that I had handed out the flyers to, but I wish to appreciate by the same token those that showed up and participated and showed their strong support. Because yes, three hundred dollars is a lot of money. In the end, they narrowed it down to drivers who have been driving for three years and less. It doesn’t matter which amount, how many years you’ve been driving. We should not have to pay three hundred dollars for classes for something we already know.”