Movido Foundation Launches Motorcycle Road Safety Push in the DR

A New Push to Make DR Roads Safer for Motorcyclists

Road safety advocates in the Dominican Republic are taking aim at one of the country's most persistent public safety challenges: motorcycle accidents. The Dominican Road Mobility Foundation, known as Movido, recently convened traffic authorities, experts, and civic leaders for its First Road Safety Congress for Motorcyclists, an initiative dubbed "Safe Course."

According to Dominican Today, the gathering took place at the High Technology building of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. Organizers framed the event around the idea that money spent on road safety should be viewed as an investment in lives, productivity, and community wellbeing — not as an unnecessary cost.

Why This Matters for Travelers and Expats

Anyone who has spent time in the DR knows that motorcycles — locally called motoconchos when used as informal taxis — are everywhere. They weave through traffic in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Punta Cana, and beach towns across the country. While convenient and inexpensive, they are also tied to a significant share of the country's traffic injuries.

For visitors in 2026, the congress signals growing official attention to motorcycle behavior, training, and enforcement. Travelers should keep a few practical points in mind:

• Think twice about motoconcho rides. Helmets are rarely offered, and drivers often carry multiple passengers.
• Use registered taxis or rideshare apps like Uber and InDrive in urban areas when possible.
• Drive defensively if renting a car. Motorcycles may pass on either side and appear from unexpected angles.
• Wear a helmet if you do rent a scooter or motorcycle — it is legally required and increasingly enforced.

What Comes Next

Movido's congress is part of a broader effort to reshape road culture in the country, bringing together public agencies and private stakeholders to design education programs and policy recommendations. For the DR's tourism sector, safer streets translate directly into a better visitor experience and fewer trip-disrupting incidents.

Travelers planning a 2026 visit can expect to see more awareness campaigns and possibly tighter enforcement on helmet use and licensing in the months ahead.