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Remove motorcycles from the streets or tame them

Jun 20,2018 - Last updated at Jun 20,2018

Enough is enough. Motorbikes roaming the streets of our cities have become too much of a public nuisance for the extremely loud exhaust systems they use "as an alternative for horns to warn motorists".

This is the most ridiculous excuse one could ever hear. I am sure that all of us have undergone a near-heart attack experience when a bike drives past you while you are heading somewhere in your car or just be around minding your or seeking a relaxing moment outdoor at a café in Amman at night on a main street. In fact, horn honking must be banned for both cars and bikes as is the case in many world countries that care about their citizens, but let us be realistic and accept it as a fact of life.

A better explanation of the conduct is that horrifying peaceful people with these monstrous sounds is an expression of Freudian psychological problems.

Motorbikes with large engine sizes were abundant in the 1970s before they were banned later, when bike gangs became a phenomenon and deaths resulting from speeding sounded the alarm for the public and authorities then. Bikes with small-sized motors remained legal under strict rules, allowed only for companies that need these vehicles for their messengers.

Then in the 2000s, harmless scooters were allowed and that made some sense in a country that has a disgraceful public transportation system. 

But now, try a night picnic close to the airport area south Amman. Swarms of bikers madly come and go again and again in the part of the road, not covered by speed cams. You will know that only a miracle would prevent a death, but miracles do not happen. A few weeks ago, a tragic death of a young man on the Airport Road saddened all citizens, at a time when the Traffic Department gets itself busy ticketing a family man driving at 30km on a calm Friday morning, in his pyjamas, to buy hummus and falafel, for not using the seat belt.

It is simple if authorities care. The around 3,000 bikers on our streets should use a more environment-friendly warning system and drive within the speed limit. Otherwise, they should be penalised through a driving-offence points system that leads eventually to confiscating the vehicle and revoking the driving license for repeat violators. 

Jordanians may differ on many things, but will agree on this. Citizens have the right to be protected and are entitled to a clean environment from all kinds of pollution, including noise.

Even experts agree. The general manager of the Royal Motorcycle Club of Jordan, in previous remarks to The Jordan Times, has advised motorcyclists to use horns for warning purposes, instead of exhausts that make loud noises when pressing the fuel pedal.

Above that, we need to protect these young people who arrogantly ride their bikes on our streets, thinking that their behaviours go unchecked, from themselves.

 

The writer is the Deputy Chief Editor of The Jordan Times

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