IPNEWS: Residents of Monrovia remain in panic over a purported plan by Motorcyclist to resist recent ban imposed on commercial motorcyclist in Central Monrovia.
An IPNEWS investigation undercover late Saturday encountered several Motorcyclist in a closed meeting along the coconut plantation beach adjacent the famous Manami Beach.
The Motorcyclist resolve to engage in sparatic stone throwing across Monrovia to resist what they called unfair treatment by Police under the direction of Col. Gregory O. W. Coleman.
In the aftermath of the decision to resist Police temporary restiction tomorrow Monday, several residents of Monrovia have expressed fear of a potential excalation of the crisis especailly as Kids go to school and are calling on the government for continue dialougue with various organization leadership of the Motrocyclist Unions to resolve the impasse as demonstricted in early Febuary 2024.
On Friday, February 21,2025, authorities at the Liberian National Police placed a no-go zone restriction on commercials motorcyclists in Ventral Monrovia. The Liberia National Police (LNP) release notes that its restriction is temporary on the movement of commercial motorbikes in certain key corridors of Monrovia.
According to the LNP, commercial motorbike riders are now prohibited from operating along the main road between the ELWA Junction and the SKD Boulevard Junction via Tubman Boulevard, as well as in Sinkor, Freeport, Vai Town, and Central Monrovia.
The Liberia National Police (LNP) is under fire from the Motorcyclists and Tricyclists Union over its decision to designate Monrovia as a no-go zone for commercial bikers. The union has denounced the move as an opportunistic crackdown that will strip thousands of riders of their economic livelihood under the guise of addressing road safety concerns.
The dispute erupted after a tragic accident on February 19, 2025, when a speeding sewage tanker lost control on the Gabriel Tucker Bridge, killing a motorcyclist and his passenger. The fatal incident has sparked outrage, with many blaming the proliferation of police checkpoints for worsening traffic conditions and increasing the risk of accidents.
Eyewitnesses reported that the sewage tanker, traveling from Johnson Street to Bushrod Island, was moving at an excessive speed when the driver lost control. In an attempt to avoid further catastrophe, he swerved but tragically collided with the motorcyclist and his passenger. Both victims were rushed to the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, while the truck driver was taken into police custody.
Residents and commercial riders argue that the presence of a police checkpoint near the bridge played a role in the accident. They claim that traffic congestion caused by the roadblock forced the truck driver into a sudden, dangerous maneuver.
“There’s no war in this country, yet police checkpoints are everywhere—even in residential areas,” a frustrated resident said. “These unnecessary roadblocks are making our roads unsafe.”
In response to the police-imposed ban, the leadership of the Motorcyclists and Tricyclists Union condemned the decision, insisting that while some riders may have acted recklessly in reaction to the accident, punishing an entire sector is both unfair and economically damaging.
“Commercial motorcycles and tricycles provide one of the most affordable and accessible modes of transportation in Monrovia,” the union stated at a press conference. “Banning us from the capital will severely impact mobility and plunge thousands into economic hardship.”
The union stressed that more than 350,000 Liberians depend on commercial riding as a primary source of income to support their families, pay school fees, and contribute to local economies. They warned that the ban could have severe economic consequences, pushing many into unemployment.
“It would be unfair to hold all motorcyclists responsible for the misconduct of a few,” the statement read. “We urge the government to prosecute those who break the law instead of imposing a blanket ban on an entire workforce.”
The union further alleged that certain politicians were exploiting the situation for political gain, claiming lawmakers Saah Foko and Doson Sebo sought to manipulate the unrest following the accident to advance their agendas.
“We strongly believe that the actions of a few individuals were politically motivated,” the union stated. “We saw politicians attempting this tragedy to discredit our union.”
As tensions rise, the union calls for dialogue instead of unilateral restrictions. They propose a collaborative approach that includes improved traffic regulations, designated lanes for commercial bikers, and law enforcement reforms to ensure safety while protecting livelihoods.
“We are open to working with the authorities to develop a structured policy that ensures order while safeguarding our members’ rights to earn a living,” the union concluded.
It may be recalled in May-15-2024, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung reached an agreement with police for commercial motorcyclists to ply principal streets in Monrovia.
The agreement calls for straight adherence to all safety measures by commercial motorcyclists nationwide.
Preliminary notice from the Liberia National Police (LNP) suggested a ban for commercial motorcyclists on the principle streets of Monrovia beginning May 15, 2024.
However, the latest intervention by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung will now allow motorcyclists to access the restricted streets but must comply with traffic and safety laws, according to LNP.
The new agreement was reached Thursday, May 9, 2024, in a meeting with the leadership of two commercial motorcycle groups and police authorities.
LNP was represented by Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman and convened by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung at his capitol building office.
VP Koung after hearing from the motorcyclists and the police appealed to police authorities to relax the ban, but with the agreement that all motorcyclists plying these restricted main streets carry one passenger with both the rider and the co-rider wearing safety gear including helmets, and must be above 18 years of age.
Vice President Koung said his intervention which was requested by the Unity Party Chairman is meant to ease a growing tension between the Liberia National Police and commercial motorcyclists nationwide on the ban preventing motorcyclists from accessing main streets in Monrovia.
Speaking following the meeting, IG Coleman thanked the Vice President for the intervention; while explaining that the concern of the police has always been the protection of lives and properties.
He said the lack of a culture of safety with the motorcyclists being the most vulnerable triggered the police’s recent action on the proposed ban in question.
The leadership of the two unions, the Federation of Motorcycles and Tricycles Unions of Liberia (FOMTUL) and the National Federation of Motorcycles and Tricycles Association of Liberia (NAFOMTAL) also hailed the VP for his timely intervention and called on their members nationwide to fully adhere to the new agreement as appealed for by the Vice President.
