Motorbikes on footpath
Everywhere a footpath is only meant for the use and convenience of pedestrians, and not for any type of wheeled transport. However, sadly it is observed that motorbike riders come to the front of cars and buses waiting for traffic light at busy intersections, drive onto the footpaths to take an illegal shortcut and come in front of the traffic lights. Sometimes a few cyclists also do it, but rarely. Mostly they push the cycles while walking alongside, which is not so objectionable. But the motorbike riders do it in a reckless and frightening manner.
It is shocking to elderly people walking sedately on footpaths to have
rash motorcyclists coming from behind and zooming past with a loud roar of poorly silenced engines. Sometimes you are so shocked that for a few
seconds breathing literally stops, while the motorbike rider is gone!
This unhealthy activity is potentially dangerous-- a serious accident or heart attack of the pedestrian can happen anytime. Traffic rules do not allow any wheeled vehicle to drive on footpaths, and it is a punishable offence. In Bangladesh, however, no one bothers and we have no respect for public norms and behaviour. Such loutish behaviour is possibly taken for granted. In any civilised country, such an act will lead the person to arrest and jail. Our traffic police should put a stop to this dangerous and uncivil habit of illegally riding on footpaths. Offenders should be given the maximum punishment; their driving license must be cancelled and the motorbikes impounded and its registration papers confiscated and forwarded to the court for appropriate legal action.
Such actions, if taken in prominent and crowded road crossings with footpaths at Dhanmondi, Gulshan, Banani and other locations, will put a stop to this illegal violation of traffic rules. Further, it will discourage potential highjackers. Normally, people will move out of their way of a roaring motorbike even if it is escaping from a scene of crime! Can the traffic police authorities take the strict measures for some days after regular random intervals?
Personally, one would not mind street hawkers or fruit sellers selling their commodities on footpath. That is nothing compared to a roaring motorbike coming from behind and driving past you on the footpath; when you least expect it. Only Allah knows how many heart attacks it may have precipitated to the elderly: officially they died of heart failure without the underlying cause ever being identified!
This uncivil activity is carried out by the so-called better off people, at least those who can afford a motorbike!
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