To the bikers from a biker

Dear All,

Most of us know about the horrifying bike accident that took place near Phase 2 yesterday. It claimed the life of a young person possibly from our professional fraternity. A potential bright life.. gone.

The incident is unfortunate and my thoughts are with the family of the departed soul.

It is disturbing that so many accidents happen around us and we have become so habitual to the deaths, injuries, lost lives, and productive times that it doesn't bother us as much.

We ourselves have observed that an alarming number of people are involved in a bike accident even in our office. It's almost like a question of not "if" but "when" it could happen to any of us.

Traffic situations are getting worse and there is hardly anything to be done about it. However, let's protect ourselves and our friends by observing some rules.

1. Refrain from speeding up beyond the limit. Roughly don't drive beyond 60KMPH. Our roads and traffic are not designed for it. We all have that need for speed, but be cautious. Your life is too precious to waste on a momentary surge of adrenaline.
   
   
2. There is no glory in driving fast on roads that are not designed for speed. No award for beating that guy who is probably not aware of the imaginary race in your head or your existence for that matter. If you can't help it with the itch of speed, you should think of joining an amateur racing arena. I am not even joking. There you will have to wear all the safety gear. You will never see a true speedster ravaging the streets without his/her protective gear.
   
   
3. Speed is not the only source of adrenaline. Try some other adventure hobbies like mountaineering, white water rafting. Experience the level of caution of the professionals and experts.
   
   
4. If you are getting late for something, instead of speeding through like a Madmax, imagine what worse could happen if don't reach on time. Now imagine you on a hospital bed. I trust your judgment. Also, isn't it quite futile to worry about your reputation of 'being on time' when you are already running late?
   
   
5. Power bikes like the one involved in yesterday's accident (KTM afaik) should be banned.. there I said it. But, it's a free country, so when you have a beast like that, make sure you own and use the protective armor that comes with it as well. It's not there to showcase once in a while. Buy it and use it.
   
   
6. A helmet is a lifesaver. We have a strict policy in the office that every biker should wear a helmet. Stick to that even if you want to just drive for buying milk around a corner. It's the habit that matters and not so much the distance.
   
   
7. Maintain your bike like your life depends on it. More than speeding, the way you maintain your bike asserts your love of biking.
   
   
8. Don't jump the traffic signal. Honor the traffic rules. When you break the rule by mistake and a cop pulls you over, pay the fine without arguing as a reminder not to do it again. It's more important than standing still for the national anthem. This is how you express love for your country. (Exception - when an ambulance is howling on your head or a traffic cop is signaling you contrary to the traffic lights. Use discretion buddy!)
   
   
9. Most important - Do not drink and drive. In the era when you have Uber, it is an absurdity to drive a vehicle when you are drunk. If you cannot afford an Uber, you are probably too broke to enjoy a drink. Avoid. 

I am suggesting nothing new. We all are aware of the above things but time and again we need to remind ourselves about it. I am a biker too and have had my fair share of mishaps. It applies to me as well.

Each one of us has absolutely tremendous potential. It's like a grenade with all the explosive-packed inside us ready to pull the pin. There is no telling what things anyone of us would achieve in life. The foremost important point is to be alive and healthy to cover the miles and enjoy the glory. We need not be foolish to compromise our future by risking our road safety.

Let me know if you have any counter thoughts on this.

_*_

Part of the mail I sent to colleagues in the office in the wake of a tragic accident at Hinjwadi IT park, Pune on 23rd January 2019.

picture courtesy - pixabay.com