New Delhi. In recent years, ride-sharing services such as Ola, Rapido and Uber have made cycling a popular option in India. However, a serious problem has arisen among users of these services. Many riders use poor quality helmets. Not only does this compromise their personal safety, but it can also pose a threat to the safety of passengers. The central government has banned the sale of helmets without ISI certification. Despite this, double helmets are used indiscriminately by Ola, Uber and Rapido bike riders.

If we talk about Delhi-NCR only, then the number of two-wheelers plying in bike taxis is in thousands. In such a situation, cyclists endanger the lives of their customers by violating safety regulations.

Handing out duplicate helmets to customers
Bicycle taxi drivers wear high-quality helmets themselves, but give their customers inferior replacement helmets. These helmets resemble a small cap that only covers the upper part of the head. These helmets often have no straps and even fall off your head in strong gusts of wind. In such a situation, the safety of customers using bike taxis has become a serious issue.

Using a helmet without ISI marking is illegal
We tell you that the use and sale of helmets without ISI marking are prohibited from May 2022. The Union Ministry of Transport and Highways has issued strict rules to ban the sale of duplicate helmets, which also stipulate a fine. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, the driver can be fined Rs 1,000 if the helmet is not ISI certified. At the same time, there is a fine of Rs 1,000 for wearing a helmet but leaving the strap unfastened. So if you have a non-ISI marked helmet with an open chain strap, you may have to pay a fine of Rs 2,000.

Double helmets are available for 100 rupees
Despite the ban on double helmets, they are sold indiscriminately. Such helmets are available on the roadside for just 80-100 rupees. The price for a good helmet with ISI marking, however, starts at 550 rupees. Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1998 states: “Every person above the age of four years shall, when driving or driving a motor vehicle of any kind, wear a headgear conforming to Indian standards and providing adequate protection to the head wearer. But be bound tightly.”

Tags: car news