Bengaluru: Angry two-wheeler riders are demanding that the govt abolish or return the road tax they have paid after being barred from using select high-speed flyovers.The demand gained momentum after several motorcycles were seized when hundreds of bikers headed towards Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) late Wednesday and early Thursday for what they called their “last ride” on the elevated route before the restrictions came into force.The restrictions on two-wheelers on select flyovers — barring Electronics City flyover where it takes effect on Sept 11 — come into force on Friday. For many riders, the decision has become about more than access to a particular road. They argue that having paid substantial road tax while buying vehicles, they are now being denied access to infrastructure built with public money.The anger was evident across social media after the proposed restrictions gained attention. An Instagram user, abhi_10, said he had paid more than Rs 6 lakh in road tax on his Ducati V4, only to find that his motorcycle would now be barred from several of the city’s high-speed roads.Another biker, geargirl_ekta, questioned whether diverting two-wheelers to already-congested surface roads would solve the safety problem. “Where do we go now? If bikers avoid flyovers, we will go to alternative routes which are already jam-packed,” she wrote.Several riders questioned why restrictions were being imposed on an entire category of vehicles because of the behaviour of a section of motorists.One user said authorities should “ban bikes altogether” if that was the direction of policy, while another demanded that road tax be removed and licensing standards improved instead. One handle, golden_throttle, summed up the frustration by asking why bikers were repeatedly being targeted through restrictions on speed, exhausts and other aspects of riding.Another user, Ahmedarmain, shared a video showing the poor condition of a surface road below the new airport flyover, asking where two-wheeler riders were expected to travel if elevated routes were closed to them.The frustration spilled onto the roads late Wednesday as hundreds of two-wheeler riders associated with several biker groups, including the ‘#LastRide’ group, headed towards KIA.Chaos prevailed near KIA in the early hours of Thursday after the large group prompted intervention by CISF personnel and local police. There were tense moments as some riders engaged in heated arguments with security personnel and police.According to members of the group, they had planned to take the elevated route one last time before the restrictions came into force.“The airport’s Terminal 2 was a really loved spot for bikers to have a night ride. We, as friends, used to go there often. Now that’s no longer possible. Bikers are being let down by authorities,” said Ajith Vinayachandran. Some riders claimed their two-wheelers were detained by police for about 45 minutes, while others said they managed to complete the trip without consequences.Saifudeen MS, who rode to Terminal 2 Wednesday night, said his group reached around 11pm, before the larger rush built up.“We crossed the toll, reached the terminal, clicked a picture and returned. By the time we reached the toll gate from the terminal, there were so many bikers that the toll booth was jammed. We also saw police and other security forces involved. These flyovers are built using our money as well. They can’t keep us out. Instead, they should improve Metro connectivity,” he said.Nithin Varghese said: “A bike ride is often our escape from work pressure. When we ride to Terminal 2, we feel better. Yesterday was an emotional moment for us. We’ll never be able to do that again,” he said.Safety versus accessNot all riders dismissed the safety concerns behind the restrictions. Syed Nizam Haris, who works in Electronics City, said accidents involving two-wheelers were a serious issue but questioned what alternatives commuters would have.“Through the flyover, I reach Electronics City easily, compared to travelling by bus or via road beneath the flyover. What other option do we have?” he asked.Haris suggested the restrictions could instead be based on the type or capacity of motorcycles. “Those of us riding bikes above 350cc also pay extra GST. We pay such high taxes mainly because we want to ride these roads and get that experience,” he said.For traffic police, however, the restrictions are primarily a road safety measure. A senior officer clarified the ban on the KIA elevated expressway would apply only between Kempapura upper ramp, where the elevated stretch begins, and Coffee Day junction at Yelahanka.“There is a huge misconception that two-wheelers are banned on the entire elevated expressway,” the officer said.The clash between safety and access is now at the centre of the debate, with bikers demanding that if roads funded partly through the taxes they pay are closed to them, the system of collecting those taxes should also be reconsidered.
