PARAMARIBO – Youth workers recently made it clear that they want the Ministry of Justice and Police to take firm action against children below the age of 16, who ride  their ebike or moped on the public roads without a helmet. They also urged parents to keep their children safe. Dwight Samuel, who is a youth worker, explained that many youths who live in the residential neighborhoods ride a moped or ebike whenever they have to run a few errands.

In most of these cases the boys also do not wear a helmet. “We must not wait until accidents happen before introducing measures. We must find a solution now so that people can be safe in traffic. I know that youths below the age of 16 are not allowed to ride a moped and that they have to take driver’s lessons when they turn 16. These youths can ride a moped after they have received their driver’s certificate,” said Samuel. The youth workers also want parents, who allow their children to drive a moped or an ebike without a helmet, be punished.

Deborah Felter who is also a youth worker, pointed out that she sees 2 children go to school on an ebike almost every day. “I estimate that the boy who rides the ebike is 12 years of age. He and his little sister go to school on an ebike. I can’t believe that parents let their children ride in their traffic. An age limit is also needed for riding an ebike,” said Felter…[+]