E-biker fined for not wearing helmet, triple riding in Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH: In first such case, the city traffic police have challaned an Electronic bike rider for several traffic violations and impounded the vehicle. Since, e-bikes started operating in the city, this is the first challan issued to an e-biker for violating traffic rules. Now, cops have been giving clarifications that police can challan E-bike riders, if they ride without helmets.They can be penalised even if the pillion rides without helmet. Police added bike dealers in city are misleading people that E-bikes are exempted from all traffic violations challans and need not ride with helmet.

Tota Ram, a resident of Sector 7 said his son had gone to meet his two friends at Sector 7 on February 9. He said his friend Jagjeet was driving the E-bike and his son was riding pillion. As they reached near Grain Market roundabout, the traffic police head constable Gurnam Singh stopped him at around 4:30 pm for triple riding on two-wheeler and without helmet. The cop challaned Jagjeet for riding without helmet, triple riding without driving license, without Registration Certificate (RC) and without insurance of the vehicle. Police impounded the E-bike and parked it at traffic police lines at Sector 29.
Bike owner told cops were not sure over the challaning of an E-bike rider, as this was the first ever case in the city. They stopped Jagjeet and others at around 4.30 pm and after clarifying from senior police officers, Singh issued a challan at 9 pm in the night. Tota Ram alleged that his son and his friends were made to stand on the road for more than five hours.
Ram said hundreds of E-bikers ride without helmets and documents on city roads and they never saw cops issuing challans to them for any traffic violation. Sandeep Kathuria, Avon, E world, E-bike dealer said all such bikes are exempted from requirements of vehicle registration and driving licences under CMVR vide notification GSR 589 (E), 2005, in accordance with ARAI certification. “Then, how can cops challan e-bikers for riding without license, RC and insurance,” he said.
While talking to TOI, Shashank Anand, SSP, traffic police, UT, said users of E-bikes won’t be challaned if as per notification some requirements are exempted, but helmets are must and triple riding is not allowed.
“Dealers are selling these bikes under the false impression that riders don’t have to wear helmets. It is a motor vehicle and so governed by the Motor Vehicle Act”, SSP added. However, others alleged that they never witnessed cops penalising E-bikers for riding without helmets on city roads.