The bill, titled "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Kyrgyz Republic on Ensuring Road Safety," includes several important initiatives, but the deputies paid particular attention to mopeds.
Currently, scooters circulating on the roads do not require registration, as their technical parameters, such as engine displacement and power, do not meet existing standards. This allows citizens to purchase and use such vehicles without any formalities.
The need for changes is justified by the increase in the number of mopeds in the country and, consequently, the rise in the number of traffic accidents involving them.
According to the head of the Main Department for Ensuring Road Safety, Azenbek Kozukeev, in 2022, there were 1,015 traffic accidents involving scooters, resulting in the deaths of 39 people.
He also noted that the number of such incidents continues to grow. For example, in just the first two months of this year, there were 25 traffic accidents involving scooters, claiming the lives of two people.
Deputy Dastan Bekeshev proposed introducing a transitional period for the legalization of mopeds, as they were previously not subject to registration. However, his initiative was not supported by the majority of his colleagues.
“What should I do if my moped is stolen and someone else registers it? If a person has no documents, how can they register the vehicle? Moreover, many work in the delivery sector and may lose their jobs. Therefore, a timeframe and mechanism for legalization are necessary,” he stated.
Dastan Bekeshev.
Another deputy, Jumabek Salymbekov, supported this position. He pointed out that more than 10,000 people work in the courier delivery sector, many of whom are students and labor migrants who have returned to the country. In his opinion, necessary time should be provided for the legalization of mopeds.
Deputy Gulya Kozhokulova also noted that the issue with electric scooters and mopeds mainly concerns the capital — Bishkek. She emphasized that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is focused on controlling motor roads, while control in pedestrian zones, where scooters and electric scooters often ride, is virtually absent. Increased oversight in these areas is necessary.
October Urmanbetov added that a special police unit has already been created in Bishkek, with its personnel increased to one thousand employees. Joint work is being conducted with road control in pedestrian zones, and this control will be strengthened in the future.
During the discussion, it became clear that to obtain subcategory "A" for operating mopeds, it is sufficient to undergo training and pass a medical examination, as well as a practical exam, after which category A1 is issued.
Exact data on the number of mopeds in the country is lacking due to the absence of their registration. Nevertheless, according to the information from the Main Customs Administration of China, in 2024, more than 215,000 electric scooters and motorcycles were imported from China to Kyrgyzstan.
