Transport Dept. sets helmet safety standards

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. May 21, 2026

   The growing number of motorcycle fatalities have highlighted the need for Belize to establish safety standards for all motorcycle riders, and in response the Department of Transport has launched a training program on National Helmet Standards and Regulations, in partnership with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Foundation and the Belize Automobile Touring Association.

   Both transport and police officers were briefed on Belize Bureau of Standards’ requirements for helmet safety, as the first step to enhancing road safety for motorcyclists and other motorists.

   FIA programmes manager, Agnieszka Krasnoluckao explained that the FIA Foundation is a non-profit charity established 25 years ago to promote road safety, safe mobility and environmental clean air. This became important, as the motorcycle market is a $100 billion industry, increasing to $140 billion by 2032. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for almost two thirds of sales, but Africa and Latin America are catching up very quickly, and will sustain exponential growth.

   “Motorcycles are the riskiest mode of road travel today. According to the World Health Organization report, 30 percent of global road fatalities happen amongst motorcycle riders, and have increased by a third since 2013. Southeast Asia suffers the most motorcycle fatalities, representing almost 46 percent, but Americans are not far behind; fatalities here are at 25 percent. … Motorcycle riders are most likely to die of head accidents. This is unacceptable, because there are solutions to prevent that,” Krasnoluckao declared. Wearing a helmet reduces the chance of death by up to 74 percent. The FIA is happy that Belize has taken the first step by setting helmet-demand sustain-safety standards; but this creates a need to build the helmet market, to create sustainable, long term demand for safe, affordable, homologated helmets, and to avoid cheap sub-standard helmets, which are becoming a problem in some parts of the world.

   Chief Transport Officer Leon Gentle said the launch was an important milestone for road safety in Belize, as the “initiative formally began in August 2025 with an initial meeting with the Bureau of Standards to realistically establish a national standard for protective motorcycle helmets.” Helmets are mandatory under the Laws in Belize, which do not specify what type of helmet should be worn, and riders often go for the cheapest option: half helmets or even bicycle helmets.

   “Belmopan continues to grow rapidly, with increasing vehicular movement, motorcycle usage and traffic activity across our streets and highways,” noted Belmopan mayor Pablo Cawich. “Growth and mobility are positive signs of development; they also remind us of our responsibility to ensure safety remains a top priority. The reality is that motorcycle riders are amongst the most vulnerable road users. A single accident can change or end a life within seconds. Proper helmet standards, public awareness and effective enforcement are therefore not simply regulatory matters, they are life saving measures,” he said.