Here is why ban on second-seat in 100 CC bikes is not a good decision

The Karnataka government has banned the second seat on bikes less than 100 CC engine. But here are five reasons that can prove that this is not the timely decision of the state government to tackle the problem.

1) Primary reason for ban 

Considering the primary reason why the second seater on bikes, this is at least not the best reason the government could give. If the decision has been taken following series of deaths of two-wheeler riders in Bengaluru, rarely a pillion rider has been killed. In all the five cases the rider has lost his/her life.

2) How to find out?

Now, with the new rule applicable only for the less than 100 CC bikes brought henceforth, how will the authorities find out if the vehicle has been brought after the implementation of rule. With records stating that till August 2017 a total of 49 lakh two-wheelers have been brought and many of them are less than 100 CC.

Checking the vehicles on the busy road and peak time will create more traffic problems. So far there is no plan explained by the government to find out the 'not registered two-wheelers' amidst hundreds of registered bikes.

Here is a poll conducted by Asianet Newsable about if this 'ban' is teh right decision:

3) Brought  but couldn't register

Many automobile shops had given big offers during Diwali festival held on October 19, 20 and 21. Thousands of the vehicles brought during the festival are awaiting registration. But as the new rule has come into effect, these vehicles (of course only those below 100 CC engine) cannot be registered without removing the second seater. Sudden implementing of this rule is affecting the people. At least the vehicles which have been already brought should have been allowed to be registered. Amidst lakhs of such vehicles functioning currently, adding of some thousands wouldn't make a difference.

4) Depriving the middle class of having a vehicle

Many people use bikes as not for the single-man/woman transport, but do drop their kids to schools and for various other reason or taking a family member, friend along. Now with those who cannot afford bikes which are costly (above 100 CC) have lost a chance of having the bike and might be forced to pay off more loans as they have to go for bikes above 100 CC, which obviously cost more if they want to use it for above said purposes.  

5) More vehicles, more pollution

Ban of two-seater bikes might lead to people buying more than one bike for the family. This will not only increase the number of vehicles and traffic jam but also the pollution level.

 

Karnataka government has banned riding pillion on two-wheelers with engine capacity of less than 100 CC, giving effect to a 2015 court order. The transport department also banned registration of such vehicles.

"Not only has the registration of such vehicles which have seats for pillion rider been banned but also riding pillion on two-wheelers below 100 CC is prohibited," said a government order issued by the transport department on October 13 last.

The order was issued based on a Karnataka High Court order in a case relating to the award of compensation to Hemanth, a minor riding pillion who was crippled for life following a road accident in Mysuru in March 2009.

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Hemanth and Nithin, who was riding the two-wheeler without a licence, were both aged around 14 then.

A recklessly driven car had crashed against their vehicle. While Nithin escaped with minor injuries, Hemanth was crippled for life with serious head injuries.

In its June 15, 2015, order on a petition related to compensation claim by parents of Hemanth, the court had taken note of violations of rules and issued a slew of directions to the education and transport departments and the police to prevent minors from riding motor vehicles above 50 CC.

It had directed that to avoid repetition of a similar situation; the transport department should not register vehicles below 100 CC with a pillion seat attached to it and not permit riding pillion on such vehicles (already registered).

There should not be any seat for pillion riders in vehicles below 100 CC as mandated under Rule 143(3) of the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules - 1989, the court had said.

 * With inputs from PTI