Lack of safety measures, hostile drivers claiming lives of riders

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: editor@Newsofbahrain.com

Motorcycle riders are losing their lives in Bahrain every year, in a road environment that lacks adequate safety measures and hostile behaviour by some drivers, reveals Roy Ribeira, member of the organizing group of Falcon Riders.

Talking to The Daily Tribune in the backdrop of the tragic death of Ronald De Guzman, leader of Pinoy Riders Group Bahrain on September 13th, Roy shared insights into frequent motorcycle accidents in the Kingdom.

“Ronald was the captain of the group. It is the captain who rides ahead and it is the captain who will be the first one to take the hit. It’s always either the captain or the road sweeper,” Roy said.

“Every year, we lose riders to tragic accidents,” he said, citing the indifference of car drivers toward motorcyclists and the poor handling of accidents by authorities and motorists.

A Preventable Accident

The accident that claimed Ronald’s life was particularly distressing. Roy believes it could have been prevented had proper safety measures, such as placing warning triangles or diverting traffic, been taken. He also highlighted the lack of immediate response from bystanders.

“There’s an emergency warning triangle in every car and someone could’ve averted this tragedy. A life could’ve been saved if some motorist had used the triangle and tried to divert the traffic,” he said.

“People stood by filming instead of helping,” he remarked bitterly. He points out that the oil spill that caused the accident was there on the road for some time. “One of my riders who was passing that area had seen it.”

Stressing on the need for training the public, especially motorists, on how to help in an accident scene, Roy said, “Try to be humane. Accidents do occur. Instead of staying right next to your car, you can avoid more cars from getting hit or impacted. Show some caution and care for the rest of the humans.

That action was not there.”

Hostility Unlimited

Roy also addressed the dangers riders face due to careless driving and the hostile behaviour of some drivers.

“Many drivers don’t respect bikers; they block us or cut into our lanes,” he said, offering advice for fellow riders to stay in the centre of the lane to be more visible. While riding in a group offers some protection, Roy emphasized that riding alone remains perilous. “When we ride in groups, drivers are more likely to notice us, but riding solo is risky,” he warned.

Beyond driver awareness, Roy pointed out the need for proper safety gear, noting “Riders need to invest in gear that can really protect them.”

No Safety Standards

Despite the growing number of motorcyclists in Bahrain, Roy lamented the absence of regulations for riders and safety standards for helmets and protective gear.

He called for the government to implement stricter regulations and fines for traffic violations, along with public awareness campaigns for both drivers and riders.

“The road is for everyone, and there’s always someone waiting for you at home,” he stressed. Commenting on the behaviour of drivers witnessed during his daily rides, Roy said, “I frequently see all these freak shows here in Bahrain.

Added to that is the fact that we have delivery drivers who have not been taught safety.

Some car drivers have no respect for riders because of the way the delivery drivers have been going around and causing accidents.”

As Bahrain’s motorcycle community continues to grow, with an estimated 2,000 registered bikes in the small Kingdom, Ribeira and other riders hope for change. “Riders don’t ride to die. We ride to live,” Roy said.

“Education and awareness can help prevent accidents and save lives.”