The government plans to amend the legal definition of bicycles in a bid to clear up confusion over whether some battery-assisted bikes are subject to licence and registration fees.
The Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure said it had removed references to speed in the original definition in 2023 legislation.
The law had said a bicycle was “a vehicle constructed of any number of wheels which is propelled by human power by means of pedals, including pedals that are electrically
assisted, the electric motor being incapable of solely propelling the cycle”.
The definition also included “a motorised bicycle or cycle propelled by means of pedals capable of being driven in excess of 15 miles per hour” as well as the standard pedal bike.
The ministry said the Traffic (Amendment and Validation) Bill 2026 also “validates the provision of single registration plates for motorcycles and trailers.
“This confirms the legality of these administrative actions and removes uncertainty surrounding past collections”.
It added, “The bill validates specific fees previously charged and collected in relation to vehicle registration plates, where those fees were imposed in good faith”.
Jay Ebanks, the minister in charge of the portfolio, said, “This bill brings clarity where it is needed.
“It confirms actions taken in good faith, strengthens certainty in the Traffic Act and supports the consistent administration of vehicle licensing and registration across the Cayman Islands.”
Eric Bush, the ministry’s chief officer, added, “Legislation must continue to evolve to remain effective.
“Clear law supports consistent enforcement. When definitions are precise and administrative processes are legally sound, the system works more effectively and road users can have confidence in how the law is applied.”
Enforcement of Traffic Act provisions that require licensing, insurance and inspections of e-bikes and e-scooters was set to start on 16 Jan., but the deadline was pushed back to 1 March by the police, after consultation with Governor Jane Owen.
The delay in enforcement was also made partially because as of 16 Jan., only one local insurer – Indigo Insurance – was offering coverage for e-bikes and e-scooters. Other insurers, with whom the government met with on 12 Jan., committed to offering insurance on these vehicles as well “in the coming days and weeks”.
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It’s like the government has nothing better to do than pick on the little people. They can’t fix mount trashmore, the beach, ect but instead want to collect taxes on e-bikes and scooters.
Clearly they don’t care about traffic backups of cars every morning.
So this appears to mean that a pedal bike with electical assistance does NOT need to be registered and insured.
Correct?
But electric scooters and faster ebikes that can be propelled solely by electric will need to be registered and insured.
The little people who are in contact with both the “little” and “big” people on a daily basis are more likely to inflict injuries to themselves and others than Mount Trash -More “will, if they are not regulated, and motivated to avoid operating negligently on the road ways.