Wheels of Woes

Powerbikes

The perennial traffic jam in the city of Lagos has made the use of motorcycles an attractive option even as the two wheelers account for a high number of mishaps in the metropolis
By Jennifer Jackson
The terrible traffic jam especially in major cities across the country has made many people resort to the use of motorcycles even on highways. Most residents of Lagos now prefer the use of motorcycles to vehicles. To many, it is a way of avoiding lateness to appointments, while to some, it means a lot more.
Others who spoke to The Source believe that motorcycles have come to stay in our society, or else they would not have preferred it if there were better alternatives. These set of people regret that motorcycles offer no protection against accidents.
According to a report by the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, 45% of road accidents occurred as a result of negligence and excessive speed by motorcyclists. A good number of these accidents sent its victims to early grave while some are permanently maimed.
Meanwhile, as the traffic situation in major cities become worrisome, the craze for Powerbikes in Nigeria is on the increase. While a lot of people will think twice before using it, many still find it pleasurable in spite of the dangers it posses to their lives.
Despite the prohibitive cost of Powerbikes, people, giving the traffic situation, still go out of their way to get these fancy two wheelers.
However, the use of these costly motorbikes like the common motorcycles has caused a lot of accidents across the world.
One of the victims of a Powerbike accident is Nathaniel Jackson who claimed he would never forget his horrifying experience when he was involved in an accident a few weeks ago. Nathaniel had mounted a powerbike with his friend Debo Arowoyo and the duo left their apartment at Alagomeji in the Yaba area of Lagos, heading towards Victoria Island. Apparently enjoying the cool morning breeze but they were unaware of the danger lurking ahead of them.
Just as they were about climbing the Third Mainland Bridge, they were knocked down by a hit- and-run driver. Sadly, the duo were left unconscious and severely injured. They were later rescued by a good samaritan who took them to a nearby hospital where they were treated and admitted for several weeks.
Nathaniel suffered a fracture in his left leg. Debo sadly, wasn't that lucky as he sustained multiple injuries which is still keeping him critically ill in the hospital. The doctor in charge told The Source that Debo sustained a severe injury in the head as such, hard to tell if he would survive because he wasn't using helmet when the accident occured.
In a chat with The Source penultimate week at his thanksgiving service held at the Holy Family Catholic Church Badagry, Nathaniel said that he was grateful to God for sparing his life and he was sure that God will spare his friend life too. In spite of the unfortunate accident, Nathaniel refused to blame the driver for any wrong doing. Rather, he regretted his recklessness while on the Powerbike.
Motorcycle accidents appear to have assumed an alarming dimension in the last few years. Speaking with a commercial motorcyclist, Emeka Ibokwe on this unfortunate trend, Emeka blamed the situation on the traffic gridlock on major roads in the country.
“...I have a cab but the traffic jam in Lagos is so tense that passengers prefer to make use of motorcycles. Judging by my business strategy, I make more money with my bike than my car because there are places cabs cannot go, but bikes will definitely get there. Instructively, analysts insist that the recklesness of commercial motorcyclists remains a major cause of road crashes.
Describing his penchant for Powerbikes, Oyekoya Opeyemi who rides a 2006 Honda model Powerbikes all around the city of Lagos said that his preference for Powerbike is neither informed by traffic jam nor fuel economy. Opeyemi told The Source that Powerbikes are more expensive than some cars. He added that his Powerbike cost N1.7 million and that there are others that go beyond that range “I don’t call it danger, I call it fun. Riding bikes gives speed and freedom you feel when you see others trapped in their cars and are unable to beat the traffic. You can say the environment is dangerous, but not the bike and that is why I have a safety kit.” he added.