Lebanon moves to regulate motorcycles after deadly rise

Motorcycles now dominate Lebanon’s streets and its road death statistics. According to the Traffic and Vehicle Management Authority and data from the research firm Information International, the number of motorcycles in circulation is estimated to exceed 1.5 million.

As of January 2026, the Lebanese Ministry of Interior announced a new decision aimed at curbing the growing toll. Under a directive issued by Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar, authorities will now enforce the following measures:

- No motorcycle or ATV may be sold without official registration

- Every buyer must be provided with a helmet at the point of sale

- Registration will become a prerequisite for ownership, not an optional step

The decision marks one of the clearest attempts in years to address Lebanon’s deteriorating road safety landscape, particularly as motorcycles replace cars, buses, and shared transport for thousands of families.

YASA founder warns

Road safety experts warn that the lack of regulation has had deadly consequences.

Dr. Ziad Akel, founder of YASA Road Safety, told The Beiruter that the Interior Ministry’s decision marks a critical step toward restoring order on Lebanon’s roads.

“A very important decision was made by the Minister of Interior to regulate the motorcycle sector. In all countries around the world, motorcycles are treated like cars or trucks. They are subject to traffic laws, must be registered, and must comply with safety regulations. The presence of unregistered motorcycles on Lebanon’s roads is a major disaster.”

Dr Akel confirmed the rising fatality figures as evidence of a deepening crisis.

“Official numbers indicate that 520 people died on Lebanon’s roads in 2025, compared to around 440 the previous year. And these figures only include those who died at the scene of the accident. They do not account for injured victims who later die from their wounds. International standards consider road fatalities within 30 days of an accident.”

According to Dr Akel, the victims are overwhelmingly young.

“Victims are disproportionately young people aged 15 to 27. This is true for Lebanon and for the rest of the world, this age group is the most exposed to road danger globally.”

The Interior Ministry’s decision signals an overdue acknowledgment that Lebanon’s motorcycle crisis is no longer manageable through neglect. As motorcycles continue to fill Lebanon’s streets, the question is no longer whether regulation is needed, but whether it will be enforced before more lives are lost.