Motorcyclists protest security measures in Colombia

By Sinan Dogan

BOGOTA (AA) – Hundreds of motorcyclists took to the streets of the Colombian capital Bogota on Wednesday to protest the government’s new security measures.

A total of 48 motorcycle organizations gathered in Bogota to oppose the Bogota Municipality’s measures restricting the movement of motorcyclists to control crimes.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, a protester said motorcyclists are not thieves, underlining that they would continue demonstrating until the municipality changes its decision.

The protests brought the city traffic to a standstill and ended without any incident.

Arguing that criminal organizations are involved in theft and extortion in the city by using motorcycles intensively, the municipality restricted the movement of motorcyclists and banned pillion riding between 7 p.m. and 4 a.m. local time.

Mayor Claudia Lopez said she will hold a meeting with representatives of motorcycle groups to resolve the issue.

Earlier, Lopez said the municipality took a series of measures to curb high crime rates in the city, adding: “Criminals do not kill people with skateboards or bicycles, they kill people with motorcycles.”

Lopez’s remarks evoked a strong reaction from motorcyclists on social media.

* Writing by Seda Sevencan