Bicycles confiscated for breaching rules in Bahrain
An average of 30 bicycles were confiscated daily by the General Directorate of Traffic for violating rules in recent weeks, it was revealed.
The Traffic Directorate have been working hard to reduce bicycle-related accidents by strengthening enforcement of bicycle safety guidelines. As a result, an average of 30 bicycles were confiscated daily from September 3 to October 14, the Directorate revealed.
Certain expatriates were identified as the leading violators and so awareness campaigns were conducted in clubs, embassies and non- governmental organisations frequented by expatriates. Cyclists were informed that they needed to fix headlights and taillights, brakes, reflectors and other safety tools.
Traffic Culture Director Major Osama Bahar said that the campaign was launched after more and more accidents involving cyclists were noted in 2014 and this year. “Five fatal accidents, 39 serious accidents and 36 minor accidents were reported among cyclists in 2014. This year, seven fatal accidents, 24 serious accidents and 28 minor accidents were reported until August. This prompted us to focus more on bicyclists and to prevent such mishaps in the future.”
Traffic Operations Head Major Mohammed Ali Al Binkhail said a team was formed to seize violating bicycles and to find out which roads had high accident rates. “Riding a bicycle on the pavement or on the wrong side of the road were among the violations, in addition to crossing the red signals and not fixing safety tools lights.” The confiscated bicycles would be returned after the proper safety tools were installed on it.
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