The Challenge of Safety and the "Two-Passenger" Limit for Motorcycles

By Isabella Luisa CAPELLI | LAMINE MEDIA

(Bangui, October 20, 2026 | LNC) In the Central African Republic—particularly in the capital, Bangui, and along major peripheral routes—motorcycle taxis have become essential to urban mobility. Given the deteriorating state of the roads and a critical lack of public transportation, they enable thousands of Central Africans to get around every day. However, the sector is plagued by chronic road safety issues. To address this, the Ministry of Transport has taken a firmer stance, reiterating a strict rule: the number of passengers is now limited to a maximum of two people per vehicle.

One need only stand at the southwestern exit of Bangui, on the road toward Mbaïki, to see the scale of the problem. Many drivers frequently overload their bikes, sometimes carrying two or three passengers at once—in total disregard of traffic laws and the technical capacity of the vehicles.

As reports from Radio Ndeke Luka frequently highlight, the reckless behavior of some drivers leads to daily accidents, many of which are fatal. Restricting motorcycle use to its original design—accommodating no more than two people—is therefore a vital public safety measure intended to curb the high mortality rate on the roads.

This passenger limit is part of a broader formalization policy initiated by the authorities. Law enforcement agencies are stepping up checks across Bangui to impound motorcycles that are not in compliance with regulations. To legally carry a passenger, drivers must now present a complete set of administrative documents:

• A driver’s license.

• The vehicle registration document (carte grise) and the technical specifications of the motorcycle. • A transport permit, obtained via the Ministry of Transport’s single-window service.

• Mandatory helmet use for both the driver and the passenger, as well as a numbered identification vest.

For those who make their living behind the handlebars, this is sometimes a bitter pill to swallow. The National Motorcycle-Taxi Association frequently highlights the realities on the ground: soaring fuel prices at the pump, violent nighttime attacks targeting young drivers, and persistent extortion at checkpoints (such as those at Nzila or PK9), all of which eat into their daily earnings. Yet, despite these economic pressures, the transition toward a regulated, "two-seater" transport model is inevitable. Traveling in compliance with these rules not only protects the lives of passengers and drivers but also lends greater legitimacy to a profession that is essential to the Central African economy.

LNC

Date: October 20, 2026

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