As motorcycles continue to become a popular means of transport in many rural parts of Zambia, Zambia Police has intensified efforts to promote mandatory pre-registration of motorbikes before they are sold, in a bid to curb rising road accidents and improve accountability among riders.
In 2025, the country recorded 484 accidents, a higher increase from 112 accidents in 2021, records that reflect the depth of the challenge. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times -ZBT, Police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said motorbikes have become an important transport option in remote areas because they are able to access places where larger vehicles struggle to reach.
However, he noted that the increasing number of unregistered and unlicensed riders is contributing to growing road safety concerns. Chilabi explained that many people purchase motorcycles and immediately begin operating them without registering them, obtaining licenses, or following the required road safety procedures.
“We have engaged motorbike dealers and suppliers to ensure that pre-registration procedures are implemented before these motorcycles are sold. It is important that once someone purchases a motorbike, the registration process is already underway or completed,” he said.
He said the proposed system would help authorities improve monitoring of motorcycle ownership and make it easier to trace both riders and motorcycles in cases involving accidents or criminal activities.
According to Chilabi, some suppliers have already started cooperating by selling motorcycles that are either pre-registered or prepared for immediate ownership transfer. He said the initiative is intended to close loopholes that have allowed many riders to operate outside the law.
“People have found it easy to simply buy a motorbike and start riding without following the necessary road procedures. This is why pre-registration is important because it introduces order from the point of purchase,” Chilabi said.
He further noted that many motorbike operators, especially in rural communities, still do not possess valid rider’s licenses, increasing the risk of accidents on the roads. Chilabi also mentioned that police are working closely with the Road Transport and Safety Agency to strengthen rider training, improve road safety awareness campaigns, and enhance enforcement of licensing regulations.
Chilabi acknowledged that enforcing road safety laws in remote areas remains challenging due to limited resources and long distances, but said awareness campaigns and cooperation with suppliers are among the immediate measures being implemented. He stressed that stronger collaboration between law enforcement agencies, RTSA, suppliers, and local communities will be critical in promoting safer motorcycle operations across the country.
Article by Karen Ngulube
