The Young Edge: Highest number of two wheeler riders, lowest number of helmet wearers

“It ruins your hair,” said Sahil, a 20-year-old college student when asked why he does not wear a helmet. Meanwhile his friend, Mridul added, “It makes me sweaty, gives me a headache and honestly, sometimes you just want to feel the wind on your face when you ride.”

Another 23-year-old, Sakshi when asked, said, “Look around, how many people do you see wearing a helmet? I have been here three years and I have never been fined. When I had just come to Pune, I was wearing it but then I noticed nobody wears helmets nor does anyone check– you must be really unlucky to get a fine.”

According to data from the RTO until December 2023, 263595 learning licences and 129693 driving licences for two-wheelers were issued in Pune and a considerable chunk of this comprised youngsters. A total of 181058 two-wheeler vehicles were registered in the city.

While authorities have taken various measures at various points in time, nothing seems to have sustained long enough to make helmet-wearing a habit.

In April 2022, the district collector passed orders making it compulsory for school and college students as well as government employees to wear helmets while riding a two-wheeler vehicle. The order stated, “The likelihood of a two-wheeler rider dying in an accident is seven times higher than those travelling in a car. In 62 per cent cases involving death of a two-wheeler rider, the death occurs due to head injuries.”

In June this year, Savitribai Phule Pune University made it mandatory for all students, staff and visitors to wear a helmet while riding a two-wheeler on its premises; however its implementation fizzled out soon enough.

A security official from SPPU said, “The rule was brought and people were checked for the same for a few weeks but it was soon forgotten. The main challenge was that we could only tell students or visitors to wear the helmet, not really take any action. Only the RTO or traffic police authorities can do that. Students would give us all sorts of reasons from headaches to losing the helmet, what can you say to that?”

Pune traffic police organises helmet checks but as a regular practice, one is more likely to be caught for having extra passengers on a two-wheeler or routine licence-checks than for helmets.

Deputy Commissioner of Traffic Police Vijaykumar Magar told The Indian Express, “We have taken up the issue of helmets very seriously multiple times and conducted strict checks and enforcement but things keep getting back to the norm of not wearing helmets. There is a very negative sentiment against the traffic police in the city as far as helmet-related fines are concerned. We are often met with too much public backlash and anger so most of the fines we issue over not wearing helmets are through CCTV. People say they do not ride at high speeds so there is no need for helmets.”

He said that almost 90% of the fatalities last year were either of two-wheeler riders or pedestrians. Those without helmets were a majority. “Police alone cannot do much until the public and youth become conscious and responsible themselves,” he added.

“It’s just annoying to carry around a helmet everywhere and some parkings do not allow you to leave it behind,” said Yash, getting down a seemingly brand-new Kawasaki bike. “But maybe I should start wearing one and buy a lock,” he added after a pause, smiling sheepishly.

While there is an overwhelming population of the youth on the city roads risking their lives everyday, there are some conscientious youngsters who are turning the trend.

“My mother’s voice telling me to wear a helmet and ride safely echoes in my head every time I sit on my scooty so I make it a point to always wear it,” said Sakshi, a 20-year-old student at Fergusson College. “My hair get messy and I hate it but I wear it nevertheless,” she laughed.

Pragati started wearing a helmet recently, “My family member was fined recently and ever since I have started wearing it. Better to not take the risk and have to pay a fine of 500 rupees.” Samar, an 18-year-old who rides a motorbike, on the other hand did not need to learn the lesson the hard way. “I have always worn a helmet. There is no question of not wearing it because it is for my own safety whether the traffic police checks or not,” said the student.

For Sarish, a 22-year-old professional bike racer, wearing a helmet is a non-negotiable. “Life is valuable and in my profession, you need a helmet as much as you need a bike. There can be no compromise with safety and head injuries can be the most fatal ones.”