Bengaluru: Lanes are clearly drawn in the debate over the govt’s move to ban two-wheelers from certain flyovers. While two-wheeler riders have voiced strong opposition to the restrictions, four-wheeler users have backed the move on safety grounds, arguing differences in vehicle speeds and rash riding by bikes could make such corridors risky.At the same time, the proposal has revived questions over toll collection by all vehicle users. While two-wheelers are exempt from paying toll on some NH stretches, motorists are wondering whether they get the quality of travel they pay for.TOI spoke to regular car users on the move. They had common complaints: A section of two-wheeler riders engage in performing stunts, they change lanes without giving enough notice, weave in and out of lanes as per their convenience and apply brakes suddenly — a potential risk for all road users. Some said wheelies and rash riding were particularly more during early-morning and late-night hours when vehicle users zip by because of thin traffic volume.Further, motorists pointed to speed differentials between cars and motorcycles on high-speed corridors such as Electronic City flyover and the route towards Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). They argued that vehicles travelling at widely different speeds can lead to sudden braking and dangerous manoeuvres.At the same time, several motorists conceded a majority of two-wheeler riders follow traffic rules and restrictions would affect a much larger group because of the actions of a few careless riders.“Some bikers ride without helmets, perform stunts or misuse the road, but 80% of them are responsible. The section that is dangerous on the roads is small, yet significant because of the risks they might unleash on fellow motorists,” Yeshwanth, a cab driver who regularly drives to KIA, said.His larger concern was toll collection since toll is a passport to smooth and tension-free driving. “We pay up expecting swift commutes. Most times, it’s a line of vehicles on tolled stretches slowing our speed, partly defeating the purpose behind making a payment. Apart from signal-free travel, there’s nothing to write home about the driving experience,” he added.Subhanshu Sharma, a regular flyover commuter, said two-wheelers can be dangerous on high-speed corridors. “If riders are disciplined and follow lane rules, the threat potential is minimal,” he added.Sharma, too, touched upon the toll on highways and said expressway-like corridors were not suited for two-wheelers. “If bikers are, indeed, allowed, then they should pay a toll,” he said.Shreys S, another commuter, struck a cautious note, arguing that restricting a mode of transport raised questions of access and affordability. “Not everyone can afford a car and this is public infrastructure,” the commuter said, adding higher speeds and unsafe lane-changing seen on Bengaluru roads created a genuine safety concern for two-wheeler riders.The debate played out on social media too. Several users supported restrictions, citing mixed traffic speeds, narrow lanes and the absence of hard shoulders on long elevated stretches. One user said such flyovers could be scary for two-wheeler riders, while another argued that wide-body vehicles like buses and cars were better suited to the Electronic City corridor.
