Have you ever thought of purchasing a motor cycle or a scooter, so that your life will be a little easy? Here is my personal experience.
While returning home from office, I hardly used to get any public vehicle. Even if I did, it used to be full of passengers. The only option left would be to take a taxi, which in fact is quite expensive and I have to pay extra night charge. This things happened not once, twice, but frequently. So, as per suggestions and feedbacks from my collegeues, I decided to buy a motor bike. This would help me to go anywhere at anytime as well as fast. I could attend the late night get-together programs, late night partys, evening movie show and of course drop someone home and return home without any problems. Wow! I was very excited.
That was the end of all my previous problems, but new problems slowly started to creep in my life from the day I bought the bike. Now, I have to think and care for several factors, which I needn't earlier. The very first thing was the driving license that i must possess to ride the motorbike. After rigorous practice during weekend days, I attempted my first trial for the license. But, I failed during the trial phase. This disappointed me a lot, not because I failed the trial but I have to go through a long process of filling the forms, queuing in lines, taking written exam, and again the final trial. Well, in my second try, it was a success. Now, that i could roam around the city without any fear of license inspection.
My initial days was very beautiful; I and my bike. But, slowly as days passed by I started to encounter problems that I had never thought or faced before. Each day I have to make sure that my license and and the bluebook is in my wallet and that wallet is in my pocket. Each time there is a checking, I have to show the license and the bluebook, and feel a sense of insecurity that something might be questioned. There is always a fear of getting caught even nothing is wrong from your side. Along with these issues, there are several other factors that have pinched some portions of my brain.
1)No Parking / Parking:Growing number of vehicles and lack of sufficient parking place is always an issue in this city. Even though you find a place to park, they have high parking rates in measure of parking hours. Another critical thing is, there is problem of stealing bikes (specialy new ones) from parking spots or from footpaths. ( Be aware of theft, by proper locking and taking safety measures of your motor bikes while parking it).
2.)Public and Private vehicle:Lack of sufficient and comfortable public vehicles are the root cause of the excessive motor bikes in kathmandu valley. Narrow highways and roads is the another problem. Though public vehicles are for the service of public, the bad habit of stopping the running public vehicle at any place are making problems and causing several bike accidents. Even though you hit or slightly touch another vehicle by chance you have to defend yourself and take revenging crush needlessly. (Be careful of public vehicles around you while riding bike. Specially those hiace and micros).
3.)Situation of Roads\Highways:We hardly find smooth and wide roads inside Kathamndu valley. Overhead of excessive vehicle and improper drainage system and underway telephone lines are the root cause of deteriorating roads and highways of kathmandu valley. (Beaware of those pot holes, dividers and telecoms undergrounds wires leads over the roads while riding motorbikes)
4.)Law and order\Traffic rules:Though law and orders are for the safety of ourselves, it has become the headache for every bike rider and drivers. Lack of awareness and other factors are compelling to breach those law and orders. Traffic police who are supposed to guide the public and bikers rather supporting us are looking after the flaws that bike riders will make unknowingly so as to punish them and fine them. (Always beware of those traffic rules , traffic lights , one way roads )
5.)Office hour \Peak hour:We all know the excessive vehicles than the capacity of roads is causing traffics jams almost all over the way inside kathmandu valley during office hours. This is making late office reacher to the employees. Bikers are the one who comparatively reaches faster that others, but taking several traffic risks. (Be careful during office hours, ride at normal speed)
6)Petrol \Strike:Another major problem of our country is shortage of petroleum products that we are all experiencing frequently. Strikes and Bandhs are the root cause of the shortage of petrols. Staying long hours in queue for petrol is definitely not a good way pass time. (Be aware of those Bandhs and strikes that are going to occur in near future and stay safe with full tank petrol).
7.)Bluebook\licence:The only thing that our traffic police checks is blue book and license during occasional checking and check points. They will charge you if they are with you or not or renewed at time or not. (Beaware of your licence and bluebook before riding bikes)
8.)Punchure\Petrol\petty cash:The frequent problems that you face during bike riding are tire punchets,empty petrol, and minor accidents (Always be packed with NC 500 to 1000 with you). This may help you in the troubled condition that may arrive anytime while riding bikes.
9)Weather condition:In rainy season, if you don't have a raincoat in office time, then do not attempt to ride your bike. If by chance you are trapped in traffic jam during this hour, then you'll realize how incapable you are, getting wet waiting in the traffic jam with no place to park your bike.
10) Servicing:This is most frequent thing you'll have to do when you have a bike. Every time mechanic complains request on changing this thing in your bike or the other thing. This is the best place to waste your money once you own a bike.
11) Dropping friends:Ya, sometimes dropping friends to their homes can certainly be a thing you can't ignore.
