The Editor, Amandala
Tuesday, July15, 2025
Dear Editor,
It’s disgusting to see the Town Council dismantling our tourism industry!
I don’t know of any tourist who is happy to be on holiday at a place where he/she is jolted out of bed by the loud crackling of motorcycles in the dead of night. Neither do I know of any Cayo resident who is happy living next to streets that have become noisier than airport runways.
The Mayor of San Ignacio/Santa Elena is impotent. His hands are folded in his comfortable chair at the council offices. His salary is secure. And he has abandoned the cries of the tourist-dependent businesses that grind day in and day out to pay taxes, trade licenses, employees and more.
Help us, Minister of Transport!
The tourism business started looking shaky in January. It hasn’t ticked up yet in the west. And the roar of motorcycles in the dead of night by intoxicated riders isn’t helping the situation. The few tourists trickling into town are having a noisy Cayo adventure, as are we the residents who are equally unhappy with this motorcycle madness.
Help us, Minister of Tourism!
Inaction by the Town Council has gone on too long. We need the Central Government to assist us in carrying out motorcycle inspections. It is not being done. If they were carrying out their duties, the illegal motorcycle muffler attachments that amplify the sound of their engines would be confiscated and the riders fined.
In addition to the illegal muffler attachments, there is racing of these machines within the twin towns. The legal limit is 25 mph, as is registered in the law. But many of these riders are zipping up and down the streets at 55 miles per hour. The cadre of traffic officers the town council employs are allowing it to happen too! Street racing is happening at 6:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and past midnight. Nobody does anything, and nobody says anything, while everyone suffers!
The law is clear on nuisances. Motorcycles and other motor vehicles must be fitted with proper noise-reducing devices. Motor vehicles with illegal attachments that amplify the noise of their engines are mobile nuisances. They are “moving violations” of the law, and it is within the power of authorities to remove them.
Minister of Transport, please help us to preserve the attractiveness of our communities and grow our local economy by ensuring residents and visitors enjoy a peaceful night’s rest in this green haven of Cayo.
Sincerely,
Daniel Monterroso