LAHORE, March 4: For motorcyclists, the first week of March has become a difficult period for the last one year. In the last March, hundreds of motorcyclists had to buy helmets following a Punjab government decision which made compulsory for them to use the safety gear.

This year, with the lifting of ban on kite flying for two weeks, and with almost unchecked use of sharp thick twine, resulting in deaths of at least five people in the city so far, motorcyclists were left with no option but to throng auto shops on McLeod Road to get protective antennas fitted on their two-wheelers, causing a traffic jam there on Saturday.

The prices of all types of antennas have registered a considerable increase during the last two days. A pair of antenna which was available between Rs80 to Rs100 two days ago was tagged for Rs120 to Rs130.

Thick plastic antennas, which cost Rs125, were in great demand because of their flexibility and size covering the whole two-wheeler from the top.

However, a number of motorcyclists were opposed to installation of fibre antenna. “I had a narrow escape this morning. The twine was so sharp it cut the fibre antenna,” Amjad, a motorbike owner, told this reporter at Shama Road while getting an iron antenna installed on his bike.

“It is a matter of days. Why should I waste over Rs100 when I can protect myself with these bamboo sticks which were at my home and cost me nothing,” Maqbool on Ferozepur Road said.

Bashir on the Multan Road preferred the plastic pipes meant to cover electricity wiring to avoid twine injury.

The ban on production, sale and flying of kites was formally lifted by the CDGL on Feb 25, initially for 14 days, under the directions of the apex court. The CDGL issued licences for manufacture and sale of kites and the twine under the provisions of the Punjab Dangerous Kite-flying Prohibition Ordinance. The licences will become invalid on March 15 when the extension granted by the apex court will expire.