Cohesion between motorists, riders urgently needed
By People Daily, May 16, 2021Huib van de Grijspaarde
MOTORBIKES: Motorcycles have become an indispensable means of transport in the world.
In most African countries, they are known as ‘boda boda’ in Kenya and popularly known as “okada” in Nigeria.
They have become an important feature in the transport sector as a means of transport and business as well.
While there is an increase in the number of people using motorcycles especially during the Covid-19 pandemic with home deliveries becoming the norm, it is important to note that riders have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users.
Each of us has to take responsibility and obey the law, whether car drivers, motorbike riders, cyclist or pedestrians.
When then do fatalities that occur in other types of travel such as rail, aviation or shipping, become exceptional events, a tragedy? But road fatalities, which occur daily, are just accidents.
Unlike those other modes of transportation, roads are open to many different types of users.
With these different dynamics, the reality is that on Kenyan roads, the size of the road user is an important determinant of behaviour when it comes to road safety. This, however is not the only factor.
Financial drive
The majority of the bikes on the roads are boda boda. Similar to the matatus, the operators are driven by financial incentives as opposed to road traffic laws.
The thought is: if I can drop off this passenger faster, I’ll be able to lick up my next ride sooner and do more rides in a day, making more money.
This contradicts a necessary requirement for safe road use, being that obeying traffic laws sometimes costs time.
A prerequisite for responsible behavior is awareness. In this case, awareness of the risks of certain behavioral patterns.
Such patterns are driving without proper lighting on the vehicle, overtaking without being able to get back into the designated lane on time for oncoming traffic to pass safely, riding against traffic (for motorcyclists), crossing the road at non-designated places and driving under the influence. These patterns are the norm in Kenya. They are so normal that we don’t notice them anymore.
Kenyan laws are well established, but the enforcement is problematic. It is understandable that resources limitations play a role, but with a well laid out program that focusses on key improvement areas and consistency in rolling out the initiatives, large strides can be made.
Especially in this digital day and age, the employment of technology to help enforce responsible road use ought to be a major consideration.
Back to motorcycles, the Covid-19 era has forced us to awaken our senses and broaden the definition of safe mobility beyond reducing crashes.
With the rise of stress levels due to the declining economy caused by the pandemic, it is important we maintain sanity on our roads and enforce adherence of road safety rules, especially with regard to P.S.V.’s generating lower revenues, to ensure we preserve lives during this trying time.
Kibo has been at the forefront in championing durable and safe mobility through continuous research, testing and development of its flagship motorcycles so as to provide bikes that are competently suited for the demands and rigors of the African terrain.
Bike exoskeleton
The bike’s iconic exoskeleton frames are made out of welded steel tubing, making the bikes incredibly strong.
The frame and built-in crash bar form part of a virtual safe space for the rider, designed and proven to disperse the force of impact in a crash and keep the rider out of harm’s way.
Kibo also offers a rider-training program designed to educate riders on how to best utilize their bikes safely and durably in order to maximize value for money.
We believe our philosophy of durable mobility can be universally achieved if all road users take responsibility in following the prescribed road traffic rules, the government plays its role and we provide safe and reliable vehicles such as our bikes.
In mobility we share the roads we use. When it comes to COVID-19 we share the air we breathe. In both cases we have an opportunity to protect each other by protecting ourselves. Let’s grab it with both hands!. – writer is a Dutch economist and founder of Kibo Motorcycles