Mumbai police rope in Akshay for awareness ride for bikers

Mumbai: In a bid to spread awareness about road safety measures among motorcyclists all over the country and particularly in the metropolis, Mumbai Police have organised a bike rally tomorrow, which would be led by Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar.
The objective of `Ride For Safety’ rally, a joint initiative by Mumbai Police and Wheelieboy Adventures Ltd, is to create awareness about importance of wearing helmet and following other safety measures while riding two-wheelers.
City Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh will flag off the rally at Bandra Kurla Complex at 8.30 am.
According to the police, in 70 per cent of the cases of fatalities involving two-wheeler riders, the riders are found not to be wearing a helmet.
Deputy Police Commissioner (traffic-suburbs) Pratap Dighavkar said, “Every year about 1.50 lakh people die in accidents (in the country) and 49 per cent of them are motorcycle riders. Among the motorcycle rider deaths, 70 per cent lost their lives as they did not wear helmet….we are endeavouring to spread a road safety message with an aim to drastically bring down fatal accidents.”
Every year, 25 lakh people sustain minor injuries in road accidents, 10 lakh suffer permanent disability while 50 lakh families get affected, the IPS officer said.
“We want to reach out to people across the country with a message that speed thrills but also kills. Youth is energetic but also rides and drives very recklessly. We hope our message will reach out to them,” the DCP added. In Mumbai, 49 bike riders were killed in accidents till August this year while 77 lost lives last year. As many as 72 died in 2011 and 67 in the previous year.
The rally will proceed to Haji Ali from BKC and return to the starting point to mark culmination — covering a 20 km distance — in 50 minutes.
About 1,500 participants, including celebrities, college students, representatives of various NGOs and police personnel are expected to take part. (PTI)