Bikers turning suburban roads into death traps

08 Jan, 2021 - 10:01 0 Views
Bikers turning suburban roads into death traps One of bikers accused of being reckless and .. . The Chase one of the roads the bikers frequent.

Suburban

Residents of Harare’s northern suburbs are complaining about the inconsiderate behaviour of bikers who are either making noise in the late hours or endangering other road users with their reckless driving on roads in the suburbs.

Suburban Reporter 

In discussions on community Zimvine Facebook Page during the New Year’s weekend, residents expressed disgust over the careless bikers saying they were a now menace and a nuisance on roads in Mt Pleasant, Groombridge, Avondale, Avondale West, Marlborough, Alexandra Park, Belvedere, Borrowdale, Ballantyne Park, Greendale, Chisipite and Vainona. 

 According to the residents the bikers are always speeding and making noise often without helmets and turning the roads in the suburbs into some raceways.  

“Anyone else tired of these guys playing with their (and our) lives on the residential roads in Mt Pleasant/Groombridge? High speeds, often helmetless as they take turns riding it while the others sit in the little green Nissan Champ without number plates or mirrors. It’s not even legal on the roads,” complained Clint Skinner in a post on January 3.

Besides the noise and speeding, the bikers also overtake in front of oncoming traffic putting the lives of other road users in danger.

Roads identified by residents as being frequented by the bikers, Golden Stairs Road, Pendennis Road and The Chase in Mt Pleasant, Harare Drive in Marlborough, West Road in Avondale West, Lomagundi Road, Upper East Road, Borrowdale Road in Borrowdale, Drew and Beeston Roads in Chisipite as well as Edinburgh Road in Vainona.

“Them and the cyclists usually around Drew Road or Beeston they think they own the road. You are somehow not allowed to overtake them. They want you to drive behind them or they overtake you wildly on their motorcycles, its wild!” said Christina Bvumbe.

A biker Nigel JayKuku sought to find if it was the overtaking that is wild or the sound emphasizing that he was not saying the bikers were right.

Responded Bvumbe: “The overtaking (in front of) oncoming traffic then I have to move my car to the edge to give them room.”

Jaykuku condemned such kind of driving saying it was bad.

“That machine looks like a SUZUKI GSXR 1000cc, very powerful and dangerous thing to be playing with in a residential area. You definitely need to talk to them before someone gets killed,” said Jaykuku.

Residents then chipped in narrating their ordeal at the hands of the menacing bikers while some revealed how they lost their loved ones to reckless biking.

“Seen them on West Road a few times, I have a feeling they live in this side of town,” said Nicholas Fourie.

Marlborough residents said the bikers usually drive up and down Harare Drive late at night disturbing their rest and peace. 

 “I wonder if this is the same guy who roars up and down Harare Drive in Marlborough, making as much noise as he can at unreasonable times,” said Erin Sticklen.

Added Bernice Hawkes: “I think so. They play on Pendennis then exit onto Harare Drive. They go drinking at Pendennis Bar and do donuts on Pendennis between Zuva and the shops if (it is) the same guys.”

Greendale residents spoke of how their windows shake when the bikers noisily speed past their roads. 

“We have them in Greendale too and they are so loud that our windows shake when they drive past,” said Shirley Searle.

Borrowdale residents bemoaned the fact that the bikers had turned Borrowdale Road in their personal race track and giving a bad name to all bikers.

“Tired of these idiots on Borrowdale Road! They think it’s their personal race track. It gives the #thinkbike a bad name for other motorcyclists they do respect the law. Love bikes hate fools!” said Ryan Bessell.

Chipped in Ruby T Prutsman: “It’s been here in Ballantyne Park as well.” 

In Vainona the bikers are said to be racing on the suburb’s roads every weekend.

“There are bikers that have races on Edinburgh Road practically every Sunday, anytime from late afternoon until early morning,” said Roa Botha. 

Mt Pleasant and Avondale West residents noted the same in their suburbs.

 “This guy comes roaring down The Chase at stupid hours when he turns The Chase into his personal race track sometimes after 11pm! I hope he has a very good medical aid, he is going to come short pretty soon with the speed he goes,” said Zidan Tanya Adam.

From Avondale West Katie-McKenzie Stevens observed: “Have noticed a lot more race like activity in the afternoons down our main roads in Avondale West too including the dangerous parts of Lomagundi Road that hardly have working traffic lights.”

Marinda Feneysey spoke of how she lost her son while Jimu Makurumbandi revealed losing friends from Arcadia and Waterfalls while they were racing on bikes. 

 “One day their mothers will end up burying their sons – like I had to do. Motorbikes are not toys. I always told Ryan that he was not allowed to ride motorbikes and well the rest is history – accident was three days before his 21st,” Marinda Feneysey said.

“I have lost friends from Waterfalls and Arcadia they used to roam the ghettos and motorways on fast bikes. It ended up in tears. If these boys don’t stop advertising death they will meet their maker,” added Makurumbandi.  Skinner then told residents he had engaged the concerned bikers who indicated they were visitors and would be stopping their nuisance saying if they did not keep their word police would be engaged.

Some members of the biking clubs said not all bikers were reckless and these particular ones were giving a bad name to their community. They also undertook to engage the bikers to desist from their inconsiderate behaviour.

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