Compass – In the capital, Amman, which sleeps on noise and wakes up to active traffic every day, motorcycles have joined a long list of causes of inconvenience, sound pollution and death on the roads, without the competent authorities finding radical solutions to the phenomenon, despite the activation of the traffic and environmental protection laws. It includes a number of provisions and instructions in this regard. Ten years ago, the roads of the capital were completely devoid of motorcycles, but today they are teeming with thousands of them, in one of the most prominent manifestations of the transformation that occurred in Jordanian society and its social and economic behaviour.

And with its low price and ease of access, no neighborhood in the capital, Amman, is immune from the inconvenience and anxiety caused by these bicycles to its residents, amid calls for harsher penalties, suspension of licenses, and limiting their use to delivery services only.

Luxury or savings?

Observers explain the increase in the acquisition of motorcycles by Jordanians as an effective and flexible means of transportation, especially in light of the traffic congestion that Amman suffers around the clock. The acquisition of motorcycles is low in cost and maintenance compared to other vehicles, in addition to its low fuel consumption, which now accounts for about half of Jordanians’ income. monthly, as young men and women found what they needed to move around, and others considered it a source of livelihood for them by using it to work in delivering orders.

The price of a motorcycle in Jordan ranges between 2,000 and 8,000 dollars, while a third category of Jordanians have bought motorcycles for fun and entertainment or as part of their lifestyle, as groups of bikers in large processions on the roads have become a common sight despite its drawbacks. such as disrupting traffic, occupying roads, and competing in marathons.

In one of the most prominent manifestations of noise, some motorcycle owners install sound amplifiers capable of converting the sounds of exhausts into what resemble explosions as they travel between residential neighborhoods, causing terror, fear and disturbance to citizens and their children.

Motorcycle sales workers point out that some of them are modified by specialized workshops at the request of their owners, while others have specifications that include amplifiers from the country of origin. Accidents are fatal and lethal, but some of them drive them carelessly, recklessly and recklessly, and use them in a showy and immoral way, and in residential places at night where the traffic police are absent.

For his part, the official spokesman for the Public Security Directorate, Lieutenant Colonel Amer Al-Sartawi, confirms that the strictest legal measures are being taken in the event of arresting such violations, and the driver’s licenses and the bicycle are seized until the situation is rectified and the amplifier is removed from the bicycle.

The Traffic Law stipulates penalties for impounding vehicles, paying financial fines, and imprisonment for a week for those who cause noise through their vehicles. The Environment Law also guarantees citizens protection from noise pollution with financial penalties and imprisonment for violators.

The law stipulates that if a motorcyclist is caught who does not hold a driver’s license, he must be handed over with the bike to the specialized security center and transferred to the court for legal action.

Fatal accidents and overtures

During the past year, the number of bicycle accidents reached 464, resulting in eight deaths and 145 various injuries, the causes of which were attributed to violating traffic laws, recklessness, and wrong driving behaviour.

According to the Directorate of Civil Defense, cyclists are exposed to more serious injuries, such as sunstrokes, fractures, bleeding and wounds, and the chances of being exposed to traffic accidents are greater, as they are less stable and protected than other means of transportation, in addition to exposure of cyclists to environmental factors such as strong winds, rain and heat. severe, which makes driving more difficult.

The Traffic Institute and the Royal Jordanian Cycling Club carry out an annual awareness campaign to warn of the dangers of reckless driving and the need to follow the roads and instructions. However, this does not prevent the occurrence of catastrophic annual accidents, especially on highways such as the Dead Sea Road, as the competent authorities confirm that cyclists are more prone to accidents. 20 times more than other modes of transport.

All these accusations prompted a young Jordanian to establish a village for motorcyclists with the aim of educating and training them and changing the negative stereotype that had formed about them.

Samer Hassouna, the owner of the project and trainer accredited by the American company “Harley-Davidson”, confirms that cycling in Jordan remained a monopoly on government institutions, and became available to individuals after 2010.

Hassouna seeks to establish what is called safe driving for cyclists who lose their lives on the roads due to wrong and bad practices, with the aim of changing Jordanians’ convictions about cyclists.

Arabic Independent