The safety of bike riders and the need for them to be responsible were discussed at an interaction organized by the Sunrise UNESCO, under UNESCO Nepal, on Tuesday.
The program held at Nepal Tourism Board was titled 'Connecting riders to guiders'. Riders were informed about road safety and were encouraged to respect traffic police personnel because they work for the people, according to the organizers.
Metropolitan Traffic Police Division DIGP Sarberndra Khanal, female rider Barsha Basnet and entrepreneur Saurab Jyoti were invited as guest speakers at the interaction.
More than 80 participants, who were mostly riders, participated in the event, where issues like high tax amount charged in automobiles and other vehicles as well as possibilities of automating the existing traffic system were discussed.
DIGP Sarbendra Khanal discussed problems of traffic police along with the road status and instances where riders have behaved irresponsibly. Rider Basnet talked about the challenges she faced in the society as a woman rider and importance of women safety while riding.
Similarly, Saurab Jyoti talked about why awareness on road safety is important for individual as well as public wellbeing. The speakers also talked about the degrading state of Kathmandu’s environment. Khanal said, “The traffic personnel are the first ones to get victimized. Yet their voices go unheard. Plus the lack of communication between the government mechanisms has resulted in poor road conditions.”
He added, “To stand in the sun and wave hands to manage the traffic for eight long hours is a tough job. But the riders end up taking their frustrations out on the traffic police and misunderstand them that they are trying to make things easier and managed. We need patience and cooperation from the riders’ side too in order to make the traffic system more managed.”
Appreciating all their hard work, Jyoti and Basnet also expressed their gratitude to all the traffic personnel that work hard without complain in all weather conditions and even amid the dusty roads of Kathmandu.
Parliament schedules discussion on road safety on Sunday
