Police gets strict with one-wheelers

One-wheeling is equivalent to suicide, but the practice has turned into an addiction among our youth, said official.

ISLAMABAD: One-wheeling is equivalent to suicide, but the practice has turned into an addiction among our youth, Farhat Kazmi, SP Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) told The Express Tribune.

The activity involves a motorcyclist driving his bike on the rear wheel while the front is suspended in air. Catching youngsters engrossed in one-wheeling is challenging and risky--for policemen as well as the young person behind the wheel.  This year, 51 fatal road accidents have been reported in the capital out of which 2-3 percent were because of one-wheeling. The ones caught are taken to the police station and their bikes are confiscated, but this does not deter them.

In order to reduce the risk and still allow youngsters an outlet for their passion, police officials have come up with a suggestion--providing a separate space to such youngsters where they can perform one-wheeling stunts.

“We have asked Capital Development Authority to allot land/ stadium or an area specifically dedicated for this purpose,” Kazmi said. Kazmi added that a majority of youngsters who perform one-wheeling stunts have formed gangs and networks.

A majority of such youngsters watch sports channels at home which inspire them to imitate the stunts on television. As they have no other outlet or platform, they come out on roads. He said ITP is running campaigns in which they are educating parents and youngsters about this dangerous sport.

Syed Naveed, a member of a gang called 98, said, “Wheeling is my passion and my bike is my wife.” He blamed the lack
of recreational activities for youth in Pakistan for his “dangerous” hobby.

He said 98 had indulged in one-wheeling on roads despite being aware of the activity being dangerous. According to police officials, the emergency ward of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences was filled with patients this Eid who had received head injuries while performing one-wheeling.

“For the last four years I am deputed in the emergency department, but this was for the first time I had seen such a large number of youngsters who got injured during wheeling during Eid days,” he added.

Dr Samreen Fareed, casualty medical officer (CMO) in the ward said on the third day of Eid, 6-7 youngsters were brought in during 6 hours.

She said out them two were critical, including a 13-year-boy from Chakwal.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operation Bani Ameen directed district, Islamabad police and ITP to launch joint operation against one- wheeling and arrested those who were involved in the life threatening activity. While taking strict notice of these activities, he warned SHOs and Traffic police of strict disciplinary action in case road stunts are reported in their area.

He also directed a crackdown against those who prepare motorbikes for such activities, rent them for road stunts and get youngsters involved in it. IGP Islamabad Syed Kaleem Imam also appealed to parents to prohibit their childern from getting involved in such games which also put others life at risk.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2010.