The roads of Bahrain have become a dangerous place for motorcycle riders, with accidents claiming lives every year due to a lack of safety measures and hostile behavior from some drivers. Roy Ribeira, a member of the Falcon Riders group, spoke to The Daily Tribune about the tragic death of Ronald De Guzman, the leader of Pinoy Riders Group Bahrain, on September 13th. Roy highlighted the indifference of car drivers towards motorcyclists and the poor handling of accidents by authorities and motorists. He emphasized the need for proper safety measures and immediate response from bystanders to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The accident that took Ronald’s life could have been prevented if proper safety measures had been in place, such as warning triangles or diverting traffic. Roy expressed disappointment in the lack of immediate response from bystanders, with people choosing to film instead of helping. He stressed the importance of training the public, especially motorists, on how to assist in an accident scene and show care for those involved. Roy called for a more humane approach to dealing with accidents and urged for better awareness among the public.
Roy also addressed the dangers faced by riders due to careless driving and hostile behavior from some drivers. He advised fellow riders to stay in the center of the lane to be more visible and emphasized the importance of proper safety gear for protection. Despite the growing number of motorcyclists in Bahrain, Roy lamented the absence of regulations for riders and safety standards for helmets and protective gear. He called for the government to implement stricter regulations and fines for traffic violations, as well as public awareness campaigns for both drivers and riders.
As Bahrain’s motorcycle community continues to grow, Roy and other riders hope for change in the road environment to ensure the safety of riders. With an estimated 2,000 registered bikes in the small Kingdom, education and awareness are crucial in preventing accidents and saving lives. Roy emphasized that riders do not ride to die, but to live, and called for a collective effort to improve road safety for all road users. By implementing stricter regulations, improving driver awareness, and promoting the use of proper safety gear, accidents can be prevented, and lives can be saved on Bahrain’s roads.
