Karnataka - Bangalore

`Helmet will be burden'

Staff Reporter

Some private companies have already made helmet compulsory for their employees who ride two-wheelers.

BANGALORE: The State Cabinet's decision to impose a mandatory helmet rule for riders and pillion-riders of two-wheelers from June has evoked a mixed response from the city's two-wheeler users. Many welcomed the decision stating that helmets will improve "safety." But there were some dissenting voices.

"It is a welcome move. Especially for the youngsters who ride carelessly," said Anshita, a dental student.

Another student, Kanishk, said wearing a helmet considerably increased the safety of the rider in case of an accident.

But some believed that helmets will not ensure the safety of the riders as is being projected.

"I don't mind wearing it, but it has its limitations. I won't be able to move my head freely and there is a problem with hearing as well," said Abhishek, who does not wear a helmet.

Many felt that helmet should not be made compulsory for pillion riders. "Helmet is okay for the riders but why for the pillion rider. It is foolishness," said Gangadaraiah, a civil engineer.

Sachit, an employee in a publishing house shared the view: "You cannot always carry a helmet with you, right?"

There were people who felt the decision was unnecessary in cities such as Bangalore, no one can ride at high speeds. "Then why all these fuss," wondered Kallimullah. "Helmets should not be imposed. Then it will become a burden," said Sreeraj, a hardware Engineer. The riders had different views. But the decision was apparently music to the ears of one group: the helmet sellers.

They are happy that helmet sales will shoot up once the law came into force.

Some private companies such as Circutek, a city-based computer hardware service company, has already made helmet compulsory for its employees who ride two-wheelers.

"Three of our employees died of head injuries in accidents. After that Circutek made it compulsory to wear helmet," said a company employee.

Most of the respondents felt the Government should ensure that the helmets in the market were of good quality.

"Otherwise the very purpose of the law will become counter-productive," said Preet Kumar, a Computer Hardware enginner.

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