Prime
Cyclists and motorists shouldn’t fight for space
What you need to know:
- Quite often, motorcyclists and motorists act as if they are sworn enemies while on the road. A section of motorists say many motorcyclists act like the traffic rules do not apply to them while some motorcyclists say motorists are bullies. Question is, how can both parties share the road peacefully?
Moses Gyaviira has been a motorcyclist in Kampala for the last seven years. It is his only livelihood. During this time, he has observed several characteristics about motorists.
One he thinks stands out is that motorists drive while pushing motorcyclists off the road yet most roads are narrow.
“Only a few motorists will wait for a motorcyclist to find passage without making them panic,” Gyaviira says.
On the other hand, David Lutamaguzi, a motorist argues that motorcyclists ride with a wrong perception that motorists will always be watching out for them.
“Even at a point where you do not expect a motorcyclist to make a turn, they will do so. If you are speeding, you might end up knocking them,” Lutamaguzi notes.
The above argument between Gyaviira and Lutamaguzi is just a tip of the iceberg of a debate that has silently existed between motorists and motorcyclists as far as sharing the road is concerned.
Winstone Katushabe, the commissioner for Transport regulation and safety at the Ministry of Works and Transport, says under the Traffic and Road Safety Act, a motorcycle is considered a vehicle. The only difference is that the motorcycle have two wheels, while cars have four or more wheels. As such, the argument is whether to allow a motorcycle to be in the same lane as a vehicle.
Indiscipline
This debate occurs because most motorcyclists do not want to behave at intersections. In some cities, motorcyclists are allowed within the city centres because they are disciplined and obey traffic rules. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Kampala. Wrong attitudes towards other road users cause motorists and motorcyclists to make wrong decisions.
Be considerate
The motorcycle as a mode of transport has existed for years although the original road designs were not meant for huge numbers of motorcycles that have increased over the years.
Road designs were made in a way that they had footpaths meant for pedestrians. Unfortunately, these have now been trampled on by motorcyclists and inconsiderate motorists. If there was a way of having dedicated roads for motorcycles, it could be done but it is not possible.
It means that motorcyclists and motorists have to share the available road space with high consideration for each other, except for the non-motorised ways that are specifically meant for pedestrians.
Avoid competition
Ronald Amanyire, secretary of the National Road Safety Council of the Ministry of Works and Transport, weighs in on the matter, reasoning that motorists drive as if it’s a competition. You need a lot of patience. You can realise this when you overtake another vehicle or motorcyclist and within less than a kilometre, you find yourself stuck in traffic especially in Kampala.
“What brings about the blame game is because people are trying to compete. We must understand that all roads are designed for everyone; motorists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists have equal rights to use the same roads.
No one has a higher or more respectable right than the other. With this in mind, you use roads accordingly,” Amanyire advises.
“Why would you hoot at a motorcyclist or a pedestrian on the side of the road where you see a trench? Where do you want them to go?” he asks.
Understaffed traffic police
During the recently concluded National Road Safety Summit that was organised by Vivo Energy Uganda, NTV Uganda and the Ministry of Works and Transport, the director traffic and road safety directorate, Steven Kasiima joked that even if they (traffic police) arrested 1,000 motorcycles in one day and took them to Central Police Station, there will be no difference compared to the number of motorcycles, popularly known as boda boda in Kampala Central business district.
With just 600 traffic police personnel in Kampala at different locations controlling traffic flow, each personnel deals with 890 motorcyclists daily.
Untrained motorcyclists
Many motocyclists do not have the necessary training to ride. Some of them do not know that they are not supposed to overtake from the left and a lot of them end up causing accidents while overtaking from the left. On some roads, indicating when turning to the left or right, does not necessarily mean that other road users will respect the indication.
You must be careful before and while you turn. While there is appropriateness of speed, there is also appropriateness of use of the road. If you are driving in a congested city like Kampala where there are motorcyclists everywhere, you have to take extra care.
It is all about practicing defensive driving skills that defend or protect your position on the road.
Tips for motorcyclists
Ride in a position that puts you where other road users especially drivers can see you. Do not hide in blindspots and then surprise other road users by sudddenly trying to over take.
Always assume that the other driver, rider, or cyclist hasn’t seen you
When choosing attire, go for fluorescent colours that can be seen, or reflect light in the dark. This is still to make sure that you are seen.
