New Restrictions Proposed for Motorcycles on Federal Highways
The circulation of motorcycles on federal highways and controlled-access roads could face severe new restrictions in Mexico. Federal Representative for San Luis Potosí, Óscar Bautista Villegas, presented a formal exhortation before the Permanent Commission of the Congress of the Union to modify the Traffic Regulation for Highways and Bridges of Federal Jurisdiction.
The proposal, which began its legislative review in June 2026, seeks to completely ban two- and three-wheeled motorized vehicles from traveling on these specific high-speed routes.
The Proposed Changes to the Federal Traffic Rules
Currently, Article 58 of the Traffic Regulation for Highways and Bridges of Federal Jurisdiction already bans pedestrians, bicycles, tricycles, trimotos, and ATVs (cuatrimotos) from controlled-access highways.
The initiative presented by Representative Bautista Villegas aims to expand this list by explicitly adding motorcycles and scooters (motonetas) to the prohibited vehicles.
The Core Objective: Prevent two- or three-wheeled vehicles from operating on infrastructure specifically designed for speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour.
Rising Accident Rates Drive Legislative Debate
The justification behind the proposal relies heavily on recent road safety data included in the official document:
- 69% Increase: The surge in motorcycle-related accidents registered since 2019.
- 52.3% Fatalities Surge: The spike in deaths associated with these vehicles between 2018 and 2023.
- 2,878 Total Deaths: The number of fatalities documented from motorcycle crashes during that exact five-year period.
The lawmaker argues that motorcyclists face immense vulnerability on high-speed expressways. Furthermore, the document highlights that these accidents do not only impact the riders; they trigger secondary crashes, long traffic congestion, and prolonged lane closures on crucial shipping and transit routes.
Current Status: Legislative Analysis Begins
The proposal has been officially forwarded to the Third Working Commission on Economic Affairs of the Permanent Commission, the legislative body responsible for reviewing the text before any final decision is made.
⚠️ Important Note: There is no current ban in effect. Motorcycles can legally continue to circulate on all federal highways under existing rules while the proposal is being analyzed.
What Happens if the SICT Approves the Modification?
If the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT) accepts the congressional exhortation and amends the regulation, motorcycles, scooters, and any other two- or three-wheeled motorized vehicles will be completely banned from controlled-access federal highways across the entire Mexican territory.
For now, the initiative remains an active proposal under legislative review, as federal authorities weigh road safety statistics against mobility rights.
Source: elmanana
