By  EKAIWE IGINUA OSEMWEKHA

MOTORCYCLE, otherwise called motorbike or “Okada” have come to stay in most cities and towns in Nigeria. Their usefulness as an easy mode of transportation is not in doubt, as they are readily available in the absence of the conventional means of public transportation – taxis.

Their preference by commuters to the conventional taxis cannot be overemphasized. Since the motorcycle are seen as the fastest and most convenient means of transportation, convenient in the sense that it is devoid of the usual cramping of commuters assist’s the case with most commercial vehicles.

The motorbike is fastest. Since it can meander its way through traffic jams that have become associated with fast growing towns and cities.

But in all, and in spite of the advantages of the motorcycle, its riders and commuters are very often exposed to high risk as the motorbike is presumed unstable while on motion.

Instances abound where minor slip had resulted in loss of life of either the rider or the commuter and in some instances, the slip or bang from an extraneous object, claiming the lives of both the rider and the commuter.

The risk of these taxi motorcycles to their riders and commuters in the event of an accident, undoubtedly, informed governments in states where motorbike or motorcycles are used solely for commercial purpose to enact legislation or enforcing the current legislation for a strict protective crash helmets compliance.

In the defunct Bendel State, it was an offence for motorbike riders and their passengers to cruise around without a crash helmet.

A contravention of the edict attracted N500.00 fine or three months incaseration which is borne by the rider. This penalty was to ensure that riders safeguard the live of their passengers by compulsorily wearing the helmet.

Although the law was adhered to at the early months of its enactment, it was soon consigned to history as both the riders and commuters did away with it. Not even the authorities could or were willing to enforce the usage of the crash helmet. In this era of F.R.S.C. set up by the Federal Government to enforce law and order in our transport sector had not successfully curb the excesses of some motorcycle taxis who still travel without crash helmets.

Commuters on their part had rejected the use of the crash helmet for the perceived fear of contacting skin diseases. Even at the risk of their lives and that of their passengers, the motorcycle taxi riders have continued to flout the law prohibiting crash helmet non compliance.

Mrs. Adeboyin had no apprehensions of any kind when she stepped out of her matrimonial home and hiked a motorbike as usual to her business premises. As faith would have it, few metres after she had settled on the passenger seat she heard a loud bang from the rear of the bike.

 

An accident had just occurred. Mrs. Adedoyin though escaped death by a hair’s breath, her head was not so lucky. She was rushed to the hospital where she was admitted into the intensive health care unit for fracture head.

What about the case of a promising young man who had just passed his West African School Certificate Examination with distinctions in the early 70’s

Mr. Osemwengie aged eighteen years was so excited at his result that he felt the need to broke the good news to his friends, relations, associates, colleagues and compeers.

On that fate Friday, albeit he had not mastered the skills of riding a motorbike, he took his elder brother’s bike, mounted it, and off he zoomed from his residence at Upper Forestry Road.

He succeeded in visiting some of his friends and relations breaking the good news of his success at the WASC examination, at each place he visited. Osemwengie had just bid his cousin goodbye and was heading for home to continue the visitation round the next day. That was not to be as his jolly ride turned out to be sorrow for his parents.

He was involved in a fatal motorbike accident which shattered his skull to shreds due to the non compliance with crash helmet for personal safety of motorbike rider.

Osemwengie’s case might just be one in a million of such recorded motorcycle accident – where either the bike rider or his passenger are set to his/her early grave – because the motorcycle owner refused to procure a crash helmet, or wear one, owing to some superstition.

Talking about beliefs, a commercial motorbike operator who simply gave his name as Osagie Oduwa said he was compelled to discard the idea of wearing crash helmet when it became obvious that commuters have always rejected wearing one when offered.

According to him; “they are apprehensive that they might contact skin disease from other users, using the same crash helmet”. Realising the benefits of using crash helmet as a safety device against head injuries from motorbike accidents, some riders blame the non usage of the helmet on its expensive nature.

Some of the passengers are already calling for the revocation of the edict making the usage of crash helmet non compulsory because more than 95% of commuters have deliberately refused to wear crash helmets.

A respondent, Mr. Aluyi, said: “I have contracted eczema, skin irritation and dandruff while wearing crash helmet”. I asked him, given that these fear are real in the use of crash helmet, what about the risk of tearing your head apart in the event of an accident from a motorbike?

Dr. Ogbeide a medical doctor opined that the medical implications of such diseases as dandruff, eczema and skin irritation could be controlled. He however advised on the use of crash helmets for the numerous advantages, which he insists, outweighs the risk of contracting skin diseases.

The social aspect of women wearing a head gear for a special occasion had discourage many women from wearing a motorcycle crash helmet. Some cultural taboos do not permit house wives to wear helmets that had been worn by other men. So, such women who are spiritual conscious of the implications may decide to reject helmets no matter the advantages attached to it.

The social aspect of women wearing a head gear for a special occasion had discourage many women from wearing a motorcycle crash helmet. Some cultural taboos do not permit house wives to wear helmets that had been worn by other men. So, such women who are spiritual conscious of the implications may decide to reject helmets no matter the advantages attached to it.