Traffic,...ah... traffic - II

Did I tell that taxi drivers are the worst? Ok, I correct it. First rank trophy goes to bikers.

Let me try to give you a picture:
Bikes are very cheap here. You can have one of them with a price of 20-30 USD. The parts are imported from endless companies in Taiwan or China and then they are assembled here even in small workshops. There are also more expensive brands produced by big companies here. But generally the price is not that big. It's the reason that bikes are loved by millions of people here and when moving or driving in our streets, you will meet a huge number of them. The funny point about them is that some of them pollute the air even more than cars. Most of the people from poor strata pick it as their only chance of having a vehicle. So, that's not strange when you see a whole family on a small bike. I always wonder how they keep their balance. Dad, as the biker, mom at the rear, two kids in between and a little new born in the bosom of mom's. So, you think with this dangerous composition, the dad moves cautiously? You are making a big mistake if you thought so. The speed is 100 km/h sometimes. They try to overtake your car even.
Beside the families which I pictured above, young ones die for bikes. Whatever told about group No 1, is repeated here, but in a different economic scale- they are not wealthy. Helmet? Well, just for winter time and if there is any police around which may confiscate the bike.
One of the reasons that bikes are much loved here, is the traffic congestion. When in rush hours, the cars stick to each other and can't move even a mere centimeter, bikes are great. And you think they drive in the streets? Of course not; the whole network of routes belongs to them. If it is sidewalk, that's ok too. Do they have to observe regulations? Of course not either. Lining? They will cross it. Red lights? It's the same. What's the reaction of police? It differs from time to time. Once, I took part in a meeting with traffic officials. They evidently stated that whatever decision made against bikers, would urge a huge reaction within the society because they are numberless mainly belonging to the poor. So, reacting toward them is a political decision to be made. So, what you would do if you were a top rank official in a system which is not open and democratic? You would do the same as our authorities do. Their decisions don't follow a strict framework. They fluctuate. Sometimes they are loose and sometimes they are tough. Every now and then, they stop and confiscate all the bikes which the driver lacks driving license. Sometimes, they stop those drivers who lack helmets and sometimes they don't. Sometimes they stop those bikes which have more than one person on….

Everybody loves them
Beside the ordinary people, bikes are much loved by pickpockets. There are lots of stories about them stealing the purses, bags and suitcases. When investigated, police finds out even the bike had been stolen.

Scientific conclusion, safety recommendation
Statistics reveal that Iran occupies the first rank in the human loss caused by car collisions. 1/3 of the whole goes for bikers. The main reason: damages to the skulls...

Looking at the whole picture, I wonder; are we ok? The studies show that our people risk their lives easier and more frequent than the past. I think to know the reasons, more researches are needed. Until then, beware of the dangers on the streets of our wonderland.