Q COSTARICA — The Cosevi technical report on the regulations for the use of mopeds and motorized bicycles (bicimoto) on public roads has been awaiting approval for almost a year, as the use of these vehicles increases.
The government has kept the issue of motorized bicycles and mopeds unresolved, despite the Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi) – Road Safety Council – recommendations for their regulation at the end of 2023.
The document analyzes road risks, the need to establish minimum safety requirements, and options for defining whether or not these vehicles should require a driver’s license, vehicle registration, and technical inspections.
Last March, the then Deputy Minister of Transportation, Carlos Ávila, stated that the issue would be taken up again “after Easter.” Four months later, the minister indicated that there were “other more urgent issues,” including the appointment of the Council’s new executive director and procurement for the Traffic Police.
The Cosevi and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) have discussed a series of measures to regulate the use of mopeds and motorized bicycles, but none have been formally approved.
Among the options that have been analyzed is the mandatory wearing of helmets, reflective vests, and front and rear lights, especially during nighttime. These measures seek to reduce the vulnerability of drivers, who often travel without protective equipment or adequate lighting.
Also proposed is the requirement of a type A1 driver’s license, registration, and technical inspection for mopeds, which Cosevi considers low-cylinder motorcycles. However, authorities acknowledge that implementing these requirements would be complex, as many of these vehicles are homemade or low-cost adaptations.
Under this scheme, vehicles that exceed 25 kilometers per hour or lack functional pedals would be classified as light motorcycles and would require a license and mandatory insurance.
A growing and poorly controlled phenomenon
The use of mopeds and motorized bicycles has multiplied in recent years, driven by their low cost and the rise of home delivery apps.
According to the Cosevi legal criteria, a motorized bicycle is classified as a low-cylinder motorcycle (with a cylinder capacity of less than 50 cc for gasoline or 5 kW for electrics), which requires an A1 license, registration, vehicle registration, and a technical inspection.
On the other hand, a motorized bicycle is still considered a bicycle as long as it has functional pedals and human traction, so it does not require a license or vehicle registration and technical reviews, although it does require the use of a helmet, reflective clothing, and lights when riding at night.
Traffic authorities acknowledge that there are still no official figures on the number of accidents involving these vehicles, but they admit that the motorcycle accident rate remains high: in 2023, half of all road fatalities were motorcyclists.
Mopeds and motorized bicycles offer a simple, cost-effective way to navigate narrow streets, dodge traffic jams, and soak in the vibrant local life without the hassle of a full-sized vehicle.
In Costa Rica’s coastal tourist areas, with winding coastal roads and unpredictable terrain, these lightweight vehicles are perfect. They can zip through small towns like Jaco, Tamarindo, or Puerto Viejo where big cars might feel awkward and slow. Plus, for tourists, they provide a feel of freedom — the wind, the smells, the slight jolt of adventure that comes with exploring a new place on two wheels.
But it’s not just fun and convenience. Mopeds and motorized bicycles fill a real transportation need in Costa Rica, in particular the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM). Not everyone can afford a full car and its maintenance and licensing costs, and public transport doesn’t always provide a solution. These vehicles bridge that gap, giving access to work, school, or markets with agility and affordability.
But, Costa Rican roads can be unpredictable, with sudden weather changes, potholed streets, or drivers who don’t always observe traffic rules, especially in sharing the road with smaller vehicles and pedestrians.