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28 Mar 2024, Edition - 3180, Thursday

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Coimbatore

Karnataka bans pillion riders: Commuters have a mixed response

Indrani Thakurata

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Well, for those who like to carry their family of four in a scooty and also for those friends who insist that another can squeeze in, there is bad news. The Transport Department has prohibited pillion riding on bikes with less than 100cc engine capacity.

This order could affect lakhs of commuters who are used to pillion riding. According to a circular issues to RTO office, bikes with less than 100 cc engine capacity and which have pillion seat will not be registered anymore. “What happens to all those mothers who take their child to school?,” asks Antara G, a commuter in the city.

It is said that the new rule will be applicable to the newly registered vehicles. And bikes with pillion riders will not be permitted as it would violate the Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. “This order has been brought in because of the case between Hemanth and New India Insurance company.

He suffered disability after an accident in which he was in the pillion seat in Mysore in 2009. They sought compensation, and the court figured out the gross violations of rules, which resulted the this,” says Rupankar Chakraborty, a motorbike rider. “I think the attempt to amend the rules is a good idea. They should start with 50cc instead of 100cc. As for me, I am unhappy because, we commute with our scooty,” he adds.

According to a survey in 2015, 2 people die everyday in road accidents. It is a good step to prevent accidents that happen because of overcrowding a vehicle. “I welcome this step. According to news reports, 2017 was relatively better in terms of accidents. We should identify places that are accident prone along with some strict rules in place,” says S Venkat, a resident of J.P Nagar. He adds, “But just banning won’t help. That will be short sightedness. They have to improve the infrastructure. The traffic police needs to be vigilant to punish law breakers.”

Nevermind the zillion things that the government should look into for a concrete solution rather than just a lone ban, but for now–if you ride Hero MotoCorp’s Splendor and Passion bikes, TVS Motors’ Scooty Pep Plus and XL 100 moped, this is for you specifically.

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