Most of us have observed that the overall state of road safety in Nepal is far from satisfactory. The situation is particularly concerning for two-wheelers, which are among the riskiest modes of road transport. Some years ago, while travelling through Dhankuta, I noticed a mother riding pillion on a motorcycle, carrying an infant wrapped in her shawl along a hilly road. Watching the scene from inside a four-wheeled vehicle, I could only wish them a safe journey. Similarly, recently on Raksha Bandhan, I saw two very young children, almost infants, sandwiched between the motorcycle rider and their mother, who sat at the back, with four people on a single motorcycle.
Perhaps such situations would not arise if Nepal had a well-developed and inclusive public transport system that gave due consideration to vulnerable groups, particularly children, infants, the elderly and women. Beyond the emotions these scenes evoke, the reality is that almost every household seems to own at least one two-wheeler. Their growing numbers, like a swarm of bees in the traffic of urban areas like Kathmandu, show how unreliable our public transport system has become.
This also raises a larger question: Is Nepal's long-term vision of becoming a prosperous, equitable and socialist-oriented nation merely a fantasy, or something that exists only on paper? While newer ambitions, such as metro rail and various other forms of transit, continue to find their way into urban master plans, simple and cost-effective solutions could produce significant tangible results.
There have been some positive changes in regard to inclusive transport over time. The practice of reserving seats for women, elderly people and persons with disabilities is one such example. Similarly, breastfeeding areas and playrooms for children have begun appearing in government offices and airport terminals. These developments are welcome, but the pace at which such changes are being introduced remains far from satisfactory.
Returning to the question of pillion riders, improvements in public transport, especially those planned for the medium to long term, naturally take time. In the meantime, vulnerable groups such as infants and children below a certain age can be safeguarded by not permitting them to travel as pillion passengers on two-wheelers. There are several countries that have already prohibited infants and young children from travelling as pillion passengers. For example, Rule 36 of Singapore's Road Traffic Rules expressly prohibits carrying a child below 10 years of age as a pillion passenger on a motorcycle or scooter.
If Nepal's geography and economy were suited to a car-oriented transport system, as in developed countries, one might assume that families could manage their own transport needs. However, in Nepal's context, the state has a responsibility to safeguard vulnerable groups by enacting and effectively implementing appropriate road safety laws. Therefore, Nepal's Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act, 2049 should be amended to include a minimum-age provision for motorcycle pillion passengers.
At the same time, restrictions alone cannot address the problem. Suitable transport alternatives must be made available to passengers who would otherwise be affected by these regulations. Maternity hospitals should also have a responsibility to provide free or affordable transport services for newborns and infants. The state should facilitate such services as far as practicable. Public transport services should gradually be improved through realistic and achievable measures, in the short and mid-term, such as introducing bus rapid transit systems and providing designated seats for children and parents travelling with infants on public transport.
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