Need to provide training to bikers

According to informed experts, the number of bikes is increasing in Rawalpindi city every month. Although the number of accidents and fatalities on the roads is increasing every day, these days heavy vehicles like buses and trucks are not the only ones to blame. Statistics for the past several years show that more people die in bike accidents than in any other vehicle.

“The rise in bike accidents in particular is pushing the country towards dire consequences. Experts feel that when there is a need to reduce traffic congestion by making public transport easier, cheaper, and better, and to discourage bike riding by reducing the number. The government is taking measures that are causing the number of bike riders to grow faster. The reason for concern is that not only the number of bike riders is increasing, but the number of accidents and deaths is also increasing,” says Ammar Hussain.

“Published reports show that the number of people killed in bike accidents is increasing every year. Many people are injured and crippled in various ways in these accidents. Explaining the reason for such a situation, informed analysts say that the demand and popularity of bike riding is high, especially among the youth, as the price is much lower than that of private cars or cars. Anyone can buy and ride a bike at a bargain price. As there are no driving tests like car drivers, the youngsters take to the road with their vehicles after learning how to drive. This is how the number of bike riders in the country is increasing rapidly,” says Farhan Ali.

“According to the research of various organizations, the traffic police does not have much control over bike riders. They drive in between the cars and flee. The number of registered bikes in the country is more than the total number of vehicles. Apart from these, a large number of bikers are plying on the roads without registration,” says Irfan Haider.

“On the other hand, the marketing companies say that thousands of new bikes are sold in the country every year and most of the accidents are caused by these bikes,” adds Irfan.

“Given such a situation, the information experts think that the government should take action on the bikes as a matter of urgency. Because, as all the surveys have proved, the government has no control over bikers which are responsible for a great percentage of the accidents. Incidentally, two or four bikes and their riders are detained but they allegedly get away in exchange for bribes,” says Wafa Abbas.

Muntazir Mehdi says, “We feel that there is a need to provide training for bike riders like bus and truck drivers so that no one with money can buy bikes now and then.”