“Either people are unaware about the decision of the government regarding helmets or they are not ready to take it seriously in view of failure of previous campaigns,” said a shopkeeper commenting on less than expected number of buyers in the market.
Some people have set up road side stalls at the main roads of North Nazimabad, F.B.Area etc, selling Chinese helmets for Rs450-600. People stop at these makeshift stalls to enquire about the price but most of them opt against buying. Perhaps the road side sellers are anticipating a huge demand from the buyers prior to September 1 deadline of the Sindh government. However, lack of enthusiasm on the part of the people seems to have dashed their hopes.
There is a vast difference in price of helmets, selling at road side stalls and at the main market in Karachoi (Akbar Road near Regal Chowk). This could be the main reason for the slow pace of buying from road side sellers (mainly Pathans) who are charging Rs150-200 more from the buyers. The same helmet can be purchased at Rs325-450 from the Akbar Road.
Only 50 per cent of 750,000 motorcyclists in Karachi wear helmets, and if all riders decide to get helmet, it would boost its demand, dealers at the market said.
Despite stability in prices, shelves of dealers’ (Akbar Road) are filled with Chinese and local helmets, they added.
In Karachi, many a motorcyclist (who do not have helmet) are a bit relaxed and unaware of any Sindh government’s decision despite the fact that the Sindh government had already extended the date of implementation 10-12 days back to September 1. So far it had not come with a reminder.
“I think the market (Akbar Road) has over 120,000 units of helmets as unsold stocks in hands which they had piled up in anticipation of rising demand ahead of September 1,” a helmet dealer said adding that people will turn up when Traffic Police would grab them and by that time they might have to pay higher prices if demand outstrips supplies.
He said that currently the Akbar Road market was in over-supply situation and it could handle the situation to some extent if consumers throng the markets. However, if the decision is implemented in letter and spirit and legal actions have been taken market situation is likely to give a different picture.
Majority of bike sellers have also put on display various kinds of helmets in their showrooms. Besides, the Akbar Road has over 20 shops selling only helmets at wholesale and retail rates.
Some people have set up a cottage industry in Orangi Town and Korangi area where they manufacture helmets. Many shopkeepers are bringing up locally made helmets from Lahore. It is unclear as how far these local makers are following the quality standards.
The Ministry of Industry had also sought suggestion from the motorcycle manufacturers to make it possible that helmet be made an integral part/accessory of motorcycle at the time of selling.
A dealer at Akbar Road said that the provincial government should avoid in making a hue and cry over the issue. Instead, it should first create a massive media campaign to create awareness in the society about the public safety and prepare a quality standard as majority of helmets, available today, are of low quality.
Since there has been no culture to wear helmets, it is likely that the move of Sindh government in binding the citizens to wear helmet from September 1 may not prove a big success.
Helmet dealers said that two reasons can be attributed to making buyers hesitant in carrying helmet: one is the weather of the port city which remains hot and humid in most part of the year. Secondly the smoke emitting from the buses, mini buses, rickshaws, etc., that gets inside the helmets in rush hours and in normal course of traffic (since cheap helmets available are not equipped to handle this situation), they said.
The campaign forcing bikers to wear helmet was initiated by the Punjab government a few months back where helmet prices had shot by over Rs800-1,200 per unit owing to rising demand. Many bikers were arrested and challaned for violating the rules and regulation but later on the decision could not be implemented. Since buyers could not afford to have a helmet at higher prices many bike owners were seen wearing helmet like Pakistan Steel cap.
