BAN THE BIG BIKES
July 21, 2015 | By KNews | Filed Under Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom, Source
The streets at midnight are now quieter ever since the government implemented the 2 o’clock closing of bars and pubs. Last Sunday night, the streets were mainly deserted around midnight.
This is a good sign and an indication that the measures implemented by the Minister of Public Security are working. Most Guyanese support these measures but a handful of Guyanese are opposed and they will continue to oppose the measure until such time as they become accustomed to the new regulations.
The streets are now safer after midnight. But accidents are still occurring and this fact will continue to be used to question the effectiveness of the law. The streets are now safer.
There is however a lurking danger, a tragedy waiting to happen. Those involved are flirting with danger. There is now gang of riders of big bikes who are performing stunts on our roadways. This practice should be discontinued and discouraged.
Last Sunday night they were performing their stunts on Sheriff Street, outside of Club Monaco. They all seemed to be very young people and oblivious to the fact that some of their stunts was in breach of road safety laws.
Most of the riders did not have on any helmet. One of the motorbikes had a pillion rider showing far too much skin as she straddled the small seat on the big bike. She too did not have on any helmet.
There are also big bikes on the Corentyne. They can be seen racing along the public road. They however wear helmets so they are a bit safer. But the ones on Sheriff Street last Sunday night had no helmets and were performing stunts on the roadway.
The number plates on the majority of these big bikes are not clearly visible. There is little that the police can do to arrest these riders. These bikes are faster than the vehicles the police have. The police have no chance of catching them. Therefore even if the police notice that a bike has broken the law, the police cannot get near to make an arrest or to even see the number plate.
These big bikes should not be on our roads. They are suited for the racing circuits not our public roads. They should be banned.
A law should be passed outlawing the riding of a motor cycle above 250 cc on our roadways. No new big bikes should be registered by the Guyana Revenue Authority. Those who have registered their big bikes should be given a ten-year period to use their bikes after which they will not be allowed to use this bike on the road. This is a fair solution.
But immediately, there should be a ban on big bikes. The only big bikes that should be imported are those for use on the racing circuits.
This measure will save lives. It will make our roads safer. The measure will be controversial but it is measure that is needed to save these big bike riders from themselves. They do not understand the danger to which they are exposing themselves.
They can easily fall of these bikes. They can easily lose control, as many have before, and end up crashing into something, resulting in death. They can easily hit pedestrians given the speed with which they move. If you are crossing the road and end up in the path of one of these big bikes, then you are in danger of being killed.
These bikes do not belong on our roads, ever. Even if our roads improve, they should be banned.
It is time for the Minister of Public Security to take action and ban these big bikes from our roadways. Let us not wait until tragedy strikes before we act. Prevention is better than cure.
