The city of Bunia, located in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, will begin enforcing mandatory helmet and vest use for motorcyclists and taxi-moto drivers starting Monday, September 21, 2026. This decision was announced by the city's mayor, Mbui Kola Bosco, through a communiqué released on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The mayor has instructed the National Congolese Police, specifically the Road Traffic Police, to conduct systematic checks at various intersections in the city.
The decision to enforce mandatory helmet and vest use comes after a noted decline in compliance among some motorcyclists and taxi-moto drivers. The mayor's objective is to ensure adherence to safety regulations and promote road safety in the city. According to the communiqué, police will begin enforcing this regulation starting Monday, and motorcyclists found not wearing helmets and vests may face consequences.
In addition to enforcing safety regulations, the Bunia city authorities have requested that leaders of all taxi-moto associations operating in the city submit lists of their members. These lists must be submitted to the mayor's office by Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 14:00 hours. This move aims to ensure that all motorcyclists and taxi-moto drivers are accounted for and are aware of the new regulations.
The mayor's office has urged motorcyclists and taxi-moto drivers to comply with the new regulations before and during the enforcement period. Failure to comply may result in penalties, although the specifics have not been detailed. The authorities hope that this measure will improve road safety and reduce the risk of accidents in the city.
The province of Ituri, where Bunia is located, has been experiencing various challenges related to road safety and traffic management. The implementation of mandatory helmet and vest use is part of a broader effort to improve road safety and reduce the number of accidents in the region. The city's authorities are working to ensure that motorcyclists and taxi-moto drivers adhere to safety regulations.
According to the Congolese press agency, the ACP, the mayor's decision has been communicated to the relevant stakeholders, including the police and taxi-moto associations. The authorities are confident that this measure will have a positive impact on road safety in Bunia and the wider Ituri Province.
The implementation of mandatory helmet and vest use in Bunia is a significant step towards improving road safety in the region. With the enforcement set to begin on Monday, September 21, 2026, motorcyclists and taxi-moto drivers are expected to adhere to the new regulations to avoid any potential penalties.
Key points
- The city of Bunia will begin enforcing mandatory helmet and vest use for motorcyclists and taxi-moto drivers starting Monday, September 21, 2026.
- The decision aims to improve road safety and reduce the risk of accidents in the city.
- Taxi-moto associations have been requested to submit lists of their members to the mayor's office by Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
