Kenema, 6th March, 2026– The Sierra Leone Police (SLP), in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) Road Corps, has engaged the executive of the Sierra Leone Commercial Motor Bike Riders Union (BRU) in the Eastern Region on the importance of wearing protective crash helmets.
The meeting comes ahead of the enforcement of the mandatory use of crash helmets for all motorbike riders and passengers, which will take effect on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Regional Police Commander East, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Francis Brima Meinday, met with the BRU Eastern Region executive and representatives of the Road Safety Authority in Kenema to discuss the upcoming enforcement and the need for compliance.
During the engagement, AIG Meinday commended the union for its vital role in providing transportation services across the country. He urged the leadership to intensify awareness among members about the importance of wearing helmets, noting that accident records in the Eastern Region show many riders and passengers lose their lives due to severe head injuries from not wearing protective gear.
The Regional Commander also reminded the union’s executive of the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the police and the Bike Riders Union, stressing the need for strict adherence to road safety regulations.
A representative of the Road Safety Authority supported this position, emphasizing that reducing road accidents and fatalities requires the collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
Responding on behalf of the union, Kenema District BRU Chairman, Mr. Patrick Brima Mando, thanked the police for prioritizing the welfare and safety of bike riders. He acknowledged that helmet use is not new to the union but raised concerns about possible health issues and resistance from some members of the public. However, he assured the authorities of the union’s commitment to compliance while appealing for a compassionate and professional approach during enforcement to avoid unnecessary confrontations.
The meeting ended with a collective agreement between the police, the Road Safety Authority, and the union to work together to ensure the smooth implementation of the crash helmet enforcement.
