Tinotenda Hove – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has urged motorcyclists to strictly observe road rules and regulations in order to safeguard their own lives and those of passengers, pedestrians and other road users.
The appeal follows a noticeable increase in motorcycle use across both urban and rural areas, a trend police say has been accompanied by rising levels of lawlessness on the roads.

In a statement issued on 14 January 2026, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said police had observed widespread violations by some motorcyclists, including riding unregistered motorcycles, failing to wear protective helmets and operating without valid driver’s or learner’s licences.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has noted a significant increase in the use of motorcycles in both urban and rural set-ups, with some riders operating unregistered motorcycles, riding without protective helmets and in certain instances moving around without valid driver’s licences or learner’s licences, while carrying more than one passenger,” Nyathi said.

He added that police had also recorded dangerous riding behaviour, warning that such conduct poses a serious threat to public safety.

“The Police have also observed poor riding conduct by some motorcyclists, including ignoring road signs and signals, reckless and dangerous riding, excessive speed, improper overtaking, riding against the flow of traffic and weaving through moving vehicles,” he said.

“This conduct poses a serious risk to the safety of the rider, passengers, pedestrians and other road users.”

Nyathi reminded riders that the Road Traffic Act [Chapter 13:11] requires both the rider and passenger to wear approved protective helmets at all times, regardless of whether they are travelling in rural, farming, peri-urban or urban areas.

“Motorcyclists are reminded that the Road Traffic Act and its associated regulations require both the rider and passenger to wear approved protective helmets at all times when operating or riding on a motorcycle,” he said.
He further stressed that learners and riders without a Category A (class three) licence must clearly display the required markings.

“Riders operating motorcycles on a learner’s licence or other driver’s licence other than Category A are reminded that the protective helmet must be clearly inscribed with a red letter ‘L’ at the back, in addition to the motorcycle displaying the prescribed L-plates, as required by law,” Nyathi said.

Commissioner Nyathi also warned against overloading motorcycles, noting that the law permits only one properly seated passenger, who must also be wearing a protective helmet.
“The Police emphasizes that a motorcycle is only permitted to carry one passenger,” he said. “Above all, motorcycles must be properly registered and licensed. Any deviation from these requirements constitutes a traffic offence and attracts penalties in terms of the law.”
He concluded by saying police would step up enforcement operations nationwide.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police will continue to intensify traffic enforcement operations countrywide to curb lawlessness and promote road safety,” Nyathi said. “Motorcyclists and all road users are urged to adhere to road rules and regulations, cooperate with law enforcement officers and prioritise their safety and that of other road users at all times.”