The pilots have made a plea to the government to exempt them from the helmet rule for pillion riders if the elected representatives have any concern for the common man eking a livelihood from the business.
Motorcycle pilots from Margao and Navelim were of the opinion that compulsory helmets for the pillion riders will spell doom for the business activity carried out in the state since the Portuguese era.
Motorcycle pilot Rajesh Tandel, operating from Navelim said that their families are solely dependent on his daily earnings from the motorcycle business. “We would face a whole lot of problems, ranging from carrying two helmets and refusal by the customers to wear a helmet used by others,” Rajesh said, while making a plea to the government to exclude motorcycle pilots from the purview of compulsory helmets for pillion riders.
Caitan Fernandes, operating from the Margao Municipal square, also echoed similar sentiments.
“We fail to understand how the government expect the pilots to carry two helmets when no customer will wear a helmet for fear of allergies and other sicknesses. Already our business has hit a low because of the rent a bike business in the towns and cities. Compulsory helmets for pillion riders will affect us adversely”, he added.
Another motorcycle pilot Francisco Dias, operating from near the Lohia Maidan said the government should do a rethink on its decision in respect of motorcycle pilots. “If the government really cares for the common man, then the pilots should be exempted. Or the government should give us jobs or rickshaws,” he said, while fearing difficult days for the pilots and their families if the government do not reconsider the decision.
