Benisha hamal
Kathmandu,2009/8/22:If you have bought your teenager a trendy two-wheeler and the very next day he or she wants to get it modified to give it a sporty look, then put your foot down. It’s not just to save a few thousand rupees but to avoid fatal accidents. During August 2008to July 2009, the police registered 944 motorbike accidents, more than 40 per cent of the total accidents in the Kathmandu valley, according to Metropolitan Police Traffic Division.
“Most of these bikes were modified traffic police of Kathmandu said. Modification of the vehicle in any way is illegal and the owners are liable for legal action,. “In the past one year,They have fined over 700 riders, who had modified their bikes”.The police say they have also organised workshops for mechanics to raise awareness that modification in any form is not allowed.The repairmen in Kathmandu, however, say they find the young boys’ urge for changing the design irresistible, for it fetches them money and they can try their skills and put their creativity to use — albeit at the client’s risk.
And, the bikers say it’s trendy and fun riding the bike after modification . “Most of my friends also have had their bikes modified,” they blame peer pressure for this rising trend . “While riding such bikes it gives confidence to speed up, drive roughly and fearlessly,”they said.Teenagers’ craze to modify their motorcycles only makes them more vulnerable to road accidents, police say.
