A few days ago, I hitched a ride with a courteous, young gentleman astride a Pulsar 150. I enquired, while riding pillion with him, why the riding helmet, which should have been on his head was hanging on the handlebar. “I don’t feel comfortable wearing it. It obscures my peripheral vision,” was his reply.
If that’s the case, I asked, why bother carrying it along in the first place? He said, he did it to avoid the fine imposed by MVD when caught riding without a helmet. He also reasoned that he hardly ever rode beyond 45-50 Km/h, so no risk of having an accident. This from a chap pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering from a reputed institute in the city.
I could not ask, for we had arrived at my destination, how he makes sure that the other motorists on the road will follow his cautious riding approach. Something, I believe, is inherently messed up in most of us Indians. And thankfully, motor manufacturers are taking note.
It was just a day or two ago when yours truly was talking about Yamaha Motors’ Children Safety Program. Another missive has just arrived and this is from Honda Motorcycle & Scooter. Partnering with the TV channel POGO, Honda has associated with Chhota Bheem in promoting responsible riding and road safety among kids and their families.
Honda will organize ‘Honda Safe Riding with Chhota Bheem’ in 11 cities across India where Chhota Bheem will engage and interact with kids and people at large. The national inaugural event at Delhi will be followed by Jaipur, Indore, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Greater Noida and Nagpur. So, if you happen to be residing in one of these cities expect to see Chhota Bheem on your streets some time soon.
The program will provide an opportunity for kids to learn safe riding tips, meet Chhota Bheem and get pictures taken with him. Fun and interactive activities like understanding road sense in CRF 50, painting competitions etc. will also be organized. Honda dealership in the city will also distribute POP material with road safety messages with free distribution of road safety education material in schools. Television and digital media campaign is also planned.