Rishab Gulshan, A very experienced rider has been kind enough to let me share this on the blog. Thank you Rishab.
With great power comes greater responsibility!
A lot has been written about the recent super-bike crash in Hyderabad that claimed the lives of two young fellow bikers. I have been reading about the incident, listening to the different news channels and browsing the general discussions on Facebook and BBM around this incident. One part of the media (the majority) has again used this incident to portray superbikes (or big bikes in general) as the dark force that is out to consume every rider. A different part of the media (clearly the minority) has been more objective and has used the opportunity to once again bring to light the risks of dealing with these machines in our context and highlight the importance of safety. Riders all over Facebook and BBM have expressed their sincere condolences for the departed souls and vociferously expressed their anguish at the former section of the media that has made the machines the "evil force".
Anywhere in the world, riding a big bike is inherently risky. That is the reason that in the western world, one has to undertake special training to be able to even procure a license to ride a large capacity motor-bike. Further, the insurance rates on big bikes there are significantly higher due to the inherent underlying risks. In India, our poor road infrastructure and general indifference to obeying traffic rules significantly amplifies this risk. Further there are no systemic practices in place to manage the underlying risk like there are in other countries.
Hence for our safety and for a promising future of big bikes in India, I suggest we take a simple 4 point pledge –
1. I will never ride a big-bike if I am not in the right physical and mental state !
Riding a super-bike requires you to be 100% alert and in your senses. The riding speeds are so high that one usually has a very short reaction time if there is some impending danger – so being mentally and physically in the right state is absolutely critical. Anytime you are not at your 100%, you are taking a grave risk.
2. I will never ride a big-bike if I am not in proper gear !
Proper gear means –
• Proper gear means a good quality helmet
• Padded jacket with back, shoulder and elbow protection
• Riding pants with in-built knee protection or external knee guards on top of jeans
• Riding boots with reinforced ankle protection
• Riding gloves with reinforced knuckle and wrist protection
3. I will always adhere to the riding code of conduct followed by my group !
We all ride with our fellow bikers in our groups. Each group has a certain code of conduct. To me the essential elements of this code are –
• There is a "leader" who sets the pace depending on road & traffic conditions
• There is a "sweeper" who rides at the back and ensures that no one is left behind. In case someone has a break-down the sweeper is there to notice and inform the rest of the group.
• There are 1-2 "marshals" who keep the whole group riding together
• There are specific warning and communication signals comprising hand gestures that everyone understands and follows
• You don’t overtake a fellow rider at close range (less than 5 feet radius)
• You don’t go zig-zagging from one side of the road to the other side of the road. You stick to your line and in case you need to change it, do it gently and with adequate signaling and not suddenly
If your group has a code of conduct, then follow it. If not, then make one immediately and then follow it
4. I will not perform stunts on my big-bike
Stunting (wheelies, stoppies, burnouts etc) put an even greater risk to an already risky passion. So please avoid these unless you are a trained professional and are doing these in a safe and controlled environment.
***
Some of you already follow this pledge as a part of your riding regimen….to you I offer my sincerest thanks !
Most of you might agree with the principles of this pledge, but don’t necessarily follow it rigorously….to you I appeal to imbibe it fully (100% every time) into your riding habits !
Some of you might feel this is a stupid idea and who cares….for you I can only pray !
A very seasoned and respected rider once said to me "if you are truly passionate about biking, then discipline yourself to ride long and not fast". This one statement has stayed with me and has become the underpinning of my riding passion. I hope you all see the wisdom in that statement and take to this pledge as a way to achieving it. This is the only way we as a brother-hood will make big biking safe and ensure it has a promising future in India.
Rishab Gulshan
A concerned Superbiker
With great power comes greater responsibility!
A lot has been written about the recent super-bike crash in Hyderabad that claimed the lives of two young fellow bikers. I have been reading about the incident, listening to the different news channels and browsing the general discussions on Facebook and BBM around this incident. One part of the media (the majority) has again used this incident to portray superbikes (or big bikes in general) as the dark force that is out to consume every rider. A different part of the media (clearly the minority) has been more objective and has used the opportunity to once again bring to light the risks of dealing with these machines in our context and highlight the importance of safety. Riders all over Facebook and BBM have expressed their sincere condolences for the departed souls and vociferously expressed their anguish at the former section of the media that has made the machines the "evil force".
Anywhere in the world, riding a big bike is inherently risky. That is the reason that in the western world, one has to undertake special training to be able to even procure a license to ride a large capacity motor-bike. Further, the insurance rates on big bikes there are significantly higher due to the inherent underlying risks. In India, our poor road infrastructure and general indifference to obeying traffic rules significantly amplifies this risk. Further there are no systemic practices in place to manage the underlying risk like there are in other countries.
Hence for our safety and for a promising future of big bikes in India, I suggest we take a simple 4 point pledge –
1. I will never ride a big-bike if I am not in the right physical and mental state !
Riding a super-bike requires you to be 100% alert and in your senses. The riding speeds are so high that one usually has a very short reaction time if there is some impending danger – so being mentally and physically in the right state is absolutely critical. Anytime you are not at your 100%, you are taking a grave risk.
2. I will never ride a big-bike if I am not in proper gear !
Proper gear means –
• Proper gear means a good quality helmet
• Padded jacket with back, shoulder and elbow protection
• Riding pants with in-built knee protection or external knee guards on top of jeans
• Riding boots with reinforced ankle protection
• Riding gloves with reinforced knuckle and wrist protection
3. I will always adhere to the riding code of conduct followed by my group !
We all ride with our fellow bikers in our groups. Each group has a certain code of conduct. To me the essential elements of this code are –
• There is a "leader" who sets the pace depending on road & traffic conditions
• There is a "sweeper" who rides at the back and ensures that no one is left behind. In case someone has a break-down the sweeper is there to notice and inform the rest of the group.
• There are 1-2 "marshals" who keep the whole group riding together
• There are specific warning and communication signals comprising hand gestures that everyone understands and follows
• You don’t overtake a fellow rider at close range (less than 5 feet radius)
• You don’t go zig-zagging from one side of the road to the other side of the road. You stick to your line and in case you need to change it, do it gently and with adequate signaling and not suddenly
If your group has a code of conduct, then follow it. If not, then make one immediately and then follow it
4. I will not perform stunts on my big-bike
Stunting (wheelies, stoppies, burnouts etc) put an even greater risk to an already risky passion. So please avoid these unless you are a trained professional and are doing these in a safe and controlled environment.
***
Some of you already follow this pledge as a part of your riding regimen….to you I offer my sincerest thanks !
Most of you might agree with the principles of this pledge, but don’t necessarily follow it rigorously….to you I appeal to imbibe it fully (100% every time) into your riding habits !
Some of you might feel this is a stupid idea and who cares….for you I can only pray !
A very seasoned and respected rider once said to me "if you are truly passionate about biking, then discipline yourself to ride long and not fast". This one statement has stayed with me and has become the underpinning of my riding passion. I hope you all see the wisdom in that statement and take to this pledge as a way to achieving it. This is the only way we as a brother-hood will make big biking safe and ensure it has a promising future in India.
Rishab Gulshan
A concerned Superbiker
Bow Down :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rishab for this write up, I believe every biker should read this and take the pledge......
ReplyDeleteCheers
The last quote is just perfect....and the rules too. I wish all bikers could read this... I have a thought on riding fast (it's something i follow).. Bikers may ride fast only if the conditions are favourable..conditions like say, traffic,terrain,and density of pedestrians..and, if he or she feels that they are completely in control of the speeds they are travelling; the SLIGHTEST of doubts, REDUCE speed!
ReplyDeleteexecellent write up rishab bro.. i pledge to follow everything what u have said... from zeeshan iqbal
ReplyDelete