Sierra Leone Police Bans Commercial Motorcycles From Using The CBD

The Sierra Leone Police will be enforcing a ban on all commercial motorcycles (okadas) in and around the central business District (CBD) of the capital, Freetown from February 1.

The police made this revelation during an engagement with commercial motorcycle stakeholders, civil society organisations and other enforcement bodies at their headquarters in Freetown on Saturday, January 11.

The police said the ban is to ensure there is a free flow of traffic in the CBD. Speaking on behalf of the police, AIG John Senesie urged for compliance with the law and collaboration between the police and the Bike Riders Union.

“No one is above the law,” AIG Senesie said.

He added that he understood the importance of commercial bike riders, creating employment while commuting people from one destination to the other but stated that the ban is needed not only for the free flow of traffic but also for the ensuring of public safety.

The Sierra Leone Police Traffic Management and Road Safety, Commissioner Abdul Moijueh reflected on stand-off between bike riders and the police in the past and emphasised for collaboration.

“We don’t want to see any conflict between the police and bike riders,” the Police Commissioner said.
He also stressed on the importance of bike riders to have safety equipment like helmets when commuting in not only Freetown but the country at large.

Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) Director of Safety and Enforcement, Mr. Kaitongi stressed about the need to conduct training for improved compliance among bike riders. He added that the engagement is part of their drive to ensure collaboration between enforcement officers and bike riders.

Representative from the Bike Riders Union, Mohamed S. Turay assured police that their members would comply with the CBD restrictions but urged for fair treatment by enforcement officers.

From February 1, commercial bike riders are banned from using the following streets and roads in the capital Freetown: Kennedy Street, Kissy Road, Fourah Bay Road, Sani Abacha Street, East End Police Clock Tower, Goderich Street, Lumley/Free Street, Upper East Street, Circular Road, Regent Road, Pademba Road, Cotton Tree, Percival Street, Charlotte Street, Wilberforce Street, Gloucester Street, Howe Street, Rawdon Street, Wallace-Johnson Street, Lamina Sankoh Street, Siaka Stevens Street, Pultney Street, Bathurst Street, Dundas Street, Adelaide Street, Kroo Town Road, Sanders Street, Campbell Street, Savage Street, Waterloo Street, Brook Street, Wellington Street, Naimbana Street, Charles Street and Jones Street.