By: Feona Morrison
Seventeen-year-old Bibi Sophia Mohammed lost her life in a devastating accident on Friday, February 17.
The teen, who was six months pregnant at the time of her passing, leaves behind her mother, Estelle, younger sister Maria Mohammed, and other loved ones.
The two sisters were on an electric bike when they were struck by a truck bearing registration number GRR 3130, owned by R and B Investment.
At the time of the accident, it was being driven by Rickford Beckles, a 67-year-old resident of Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD). On the other hand, the electric bike was ridden by 16-year-old Maria, while the now-dead teen was the pillion rider.
Bibi had resided with her parents and siblings at Lot 366 Non Pareil Railway Embankment, ECD.
During a recent interview with this publication, Estelle described her late daughter as a “very, very good child”. When asked about how she is coping, the mother shared, “Inside of me feel very sick and empty but only Allah knows the best. She was six months pregnant.”
The grieving mother related that on that tragic day, Bibi and her sister left home on the electric scooter which they would normally use to run errands in the neighbourhood.
“It is my bike. She [Maria] takes her other siblings to school using the bike. I does tell her to be careful and she does tek she time and ride,” Estelle said during the telephone interview.
Meanwhile, Maria, who had been hospitalised after the collision, recounted what happened on the day in question. “The truck went behind me, so me done cross the road to head up Annandale. He [the truck driver] watch right and he didn’t watch who went in front of him, and me feels like something just knock me…and me sister start to holler…”
“I am feeling sad,” expressed Maria, who misses her older sister.
Police had stated that the truck was proceeding along the Coldingen Public Road when the driver alleged that as he approached the main road, he stopped and observed the traffic before going onto the main access road. He, however, claimed that when he drove off, he felt his lorry “bump up” and upon checking, he saw the two sisters lying on the road next to an electric bike.
Persons rushed to the scene, and the girls were picked up and escorted to Georgetown Public Hospital where they were examined but Bibi was pronounced dead on arrival. The younger sister had been admitted as a patient while the driver had been taken into Police custody.
When contacted on Sunday for an update on the investigation into the fatal accident, the Commander of Police Division 4C, Senior Superintendent Khali Pareshram told this publication that the truck driver has been released on bail as the Police await legal advice.
Regulations for e-bikes
Traffic Chief Dennis Stephens had told a section of the media that there is no rule in place to govern the use of electric bikes since the laws do not include them in the definition of a motorcycle. He disclosed that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is working with agencies, including the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to implement regulations for the use of these bikes. Once these regulations are developed, people would require a valid motorcycle licence in order to operate these bikes.
In the meantime, Stephens has advised persons below the age of 16 to desist from riding these bikes, especially on main thoroughfares.
“We would have pushed to have those cycles registered immediately. The reason for that is because, over the last year, over seven persons would have lost their lives using this cycle, and 13 persons were injured. The law is clear as it relates to the age range of persons riding motorcycles, and we believe that if persons started to register those cycles, we would be able to ease most of the persons with lack of knowledge on their part…,” he had told this publication.
He nevertheless added that the Traffic Department has embarked on a campaign to educate persons on the dangers of these bikes on the roadways. The GRA has since clarified that it is not registering or licensing electric bikes (e-bikes).
In a statement, the GRA had said that should these requirements be implemented in the future, it would inform the public. “…The Guyana Revenue Authority has not commenced the registration of electric bikes, electric cycles and electric golf carts presently seen traversing the roads in Guyana,” the statement added.
According to the GRA, it is pursuing discussions with its sister agencies including the GPF regarding the requirements for importation, registration, licensing, and related liability insurance for electric bikes.
