IT’S absolutely critical that there is a sense of awareness around the country for motorcycle riders and that it be created and firmly implanted in the minds of drivers.
Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism Faiyaz Koya made the statement while officiating at the launch of the campaign for motorcycle safety at the Land Transport Authority (LTA) main office at Valelevu on Saturday.
Mr Koya, an ardent motorcyclist himself, said it was important for each road user to note that the responsibility was not only on the bike rider, but also other vehicles as well.
He said motorcycles make up a small number of vehicles on the road and with the reduction of five per cent on duty of motorcycles according to the 2016 budget, he believes there will be more motorcycles on our roads.
“A licensed motorcycle rider has as much right to be on the road as any other vehicle driver.
“This is an important step towards acknowledging that there is a problem and we are all doing something about that problem,” Mr Koya said.
He said a new motorcycle rider must be aware of the power of the motorcycle they were riding and in that regard Mr Koya had asked the LTA to consider regulating the licence issued to motorcycle users.
Mr Koya said with the increase in interest in motorcycles there was a need to have specialised lessons together with refresher courses for those who had been riding for a while.
