Bikers call for a day of protests over measure banning barbecue in Bogotá

On Thursday, March 31, the Mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, and the Secretary of Security, Coexistence and Justice, Aníbal Fernández de Soto, announced a package of measures that seek to combat the insecurity that arises in Bogotá, especially because of the recent events that occurred in the CAI of the Arborizadora neighborhood Alta, in the south of the city. One of the measures that generates the most controversy is the restriction of barbecue on motorcycles, which has already generated reactions among bikers.

Through social networks, citizens who mobilize daily on their motorcycles responded to the new measure of the Mayor's Office with rejection, which is why they are already calling for days of protest. For example, the Bogotá biker collective, SOS Moto Cultura, is calling for a biker mobilization next Monday, April 4, at 12 pm, in front of the Virgilio Barco Library.

The reason for the protest, according to the leaders of the bikers, is that they consider this measure as “arbitrary” and “stigmatizing”, considering that the decision was also made, according to the Mayor's Office, due to the increase in thefts carried out on motorcycles, specifically those with barbecue grills. “No more abuse of authority by Mrs. Claudia Lopez. We invite all motorcycle leaders and their groups to join us and not allow them to continue stigmatizing us,” the publications read.

In addition to this, the biker leaders consider that this measure does not really help to reinforce the security of the capital. This argument, for example, is supported by councilman Nelson Cubides, considered the measure inappropriate, stating that a means of transport used by many citizens is being attacked, “crime and insecurity are not being attacked directly,” he said after the announcement of the measure.

In dialogue with RCN Mundo, Javier Francisco Galindo, president of Yamaha Custonclub Colombia, was emphatic in pointing out that “not all motorcyclists are criminals, not all of us are arbitrary. We motorcyclists are people who enjoy our motorcycle and we also move the country through homes and messaging.”

For his part, the leader of the bikers, Miguel Forero, said that “it is unfair. That restriction attacks a transport vehicle, not insecurity. The thief does not get off the motorcycle and stop committing a crime, rather he is going to go to another medium to continue stealing”, as quoted by TDI Colombia and Pulzo.

It should be remembered that the measure will take effect from April 11 and, since then, the transport of barbecue by motorcycle is restricted every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, between 7:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. “There will be restrictions on the barbecue by motorcycle on the days when we are most at risk. There will be restrictions only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 7 pm to 4 am. Dear Bogotans, the vast majority of robberies, homicides, the most serious crimes that occur in our city, occur on those three days at that time. The two terrorist attacks that we have had in our city, this month, occurred just on Saturday night,” said the mayor of the bogotanos.

Claudia López explained that these measures are implemented with the aim of mitigating the risks of attacks in the country's capital. In addition, he reported that motorcyclists must wear helmets and clothing duly marked with the license plate of the motorcycle on which they are riding.

“Of course, we are going to spare no effort to protect the people of Bogota, families, children and that is why we have immediately adopted measures like these. Every motorcyclist in Bogotá must carry, permanently, the identification of their license plate in their helmets and clothing,” added the mayor.

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