Bikers' carnival fraught with perils due to reckless riding
SUNDAR KHANAL
KATHMANDU, Oct 17: The New Year 1130 of the Nepal Sambat starting on Monday will mark the 30th anniversary of the Bikers´ carnival in the capital. The pomp and panoply of the carnival symbolizes how much the Newari community cherishes its age-old traditions. However, the recklessness of the bikers during such rallies often ends the celebrations on a sad note.
Two years ago, a young biker was killed in a deadly accident during a rally in Lalitpur. As part of Nepal Sambat celebrations, numerous bikers´ rallies are expected from Saturday - most of them to be taken out at the whims of local youths.
“This is a matter of awareness. What we can do is to check them before the rallies are taken out,” said DSP Bikash Shrestha, operation in-charge of the Metropolitan Traffic Police Department. “When it comes to drink-driving and violations of other traffic rules during the procession, we are helpless.” The number of two-wheelers plying in the streets of the capital on a daily basis is estimated to be more than 300,000.
“Such practices can turn fatal, as our streets are vulnerable to accidents,” said Manoj Newa, patron of Sin-ha Swan Khala, an organization working for the promotion of Newari culture and Nepal Sambat movement.
Exemplary rally
Sin-ha Swan Khala has busied itself with final preparations for the tenth anniversary of its cult rally. The rallies it took out to a range of destinations over a decade have not recorded any serious accident and bad experience, claimed Newa.
Following its successful six-day Kathmandu-Jhapa-Kathmandu trip last year, Khala this time around has announced two outings for New Year revelers.
Beginning with the 138 km Kathmandu-Manakamana-Kathmandu trip on 23 and 24 October, it will be taking the bikers to a new destination of Baglung on October 30.
Both trips will involve 300 bikes and 600 participants, claimed Khala´s president Niran Shrestha. Cultural shows will also be organized by locals to welcome the participants of the rally. Shrestha said it wouldn´t be a challenge to maintain order as the participants remain disciplined during the rally.
Khala, which had also organized systematic rallies in the capital for years, has offered Ganga Club the honor this year. The rally will be taken out on Monday through five ancient cities of the valley--Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Madhyapur and Kirtipur.
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Bikers' Carnival Fraught With Perils Due To Reckless Riding
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