DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

A series of viral videos documenting large groups of motorcyclists performing stunts on major thoroughfares has ignited a firestorm of criticism regarding the perceived surrender of public space to lawlessness. Remarks by Amaury Mo for En Segundos underscore a growing sentiment that the Dominican Republic has effectively “lost the battle” against reckless operators who now openly defy the General Law of Mobility, Land Transport, Transit and Road Safety (Law 63-17).

He writes that organized “swarms” of motorcyclists in recent days have been filmed taking over entire lanes on elevated viaducts (elevados). These riders are increasingly engaging in “calibrando,” the practice of popping wheelies at high speeds—while traveling in dense packs.

The use of elevated bypasses by these groups is particularly galling to the commuting public, as these routes are designed for...