Boda bodas are bicycles and motorcycle taxis commonly found in East Africa.

According to Tanzania’s deputy traffic police commander, Johansen Kahatano, boda boda operators observe no regulations, including simple ones such as stopping at traffic lights. As in Uganda, many boda boda riders in Tanzania don’t have driving licences, do not wear helmets and have no qualms about driving in the wrong direction on one-way roads.

According to Tanzania’s deputy traffic police commander, Johansen Kahatano, boda boda operators observe no regulations, including simple ones such as stopping at traffic lights. As in Uganda, many boda boda riders in Tanzania don’t have driving licences, do not wear helmets and have no qualms about driving in the wrong direction on one-way roads.

And as in Uganda, the boda bodas are responsible for a significant percentage of road traffic injuries. In 2013, for instance, motorcycle riders comprised 22% of Tanzania’s road accident deaths and 25% of the injured. If you include their passengers, the figure rises significantly. 

One challenge to tackling safety is official attitude of derision or neglect towards boda bodas. Officials only speak out about the problem when the latest accident figures are released, or when a major crime is committed by men riding motorcycles. Yet if their growing numbers are anything to go by, boda bodas will only become more important as an employer of young people in Africa.