Moscow bikers back in the saddle
Published 05 April, 2008, 04:17
With Moscow's roads becoming increasingly congested, many are turning to two wheels in a bid to beat the jams. On the first weekend of April Moscow's bikers emerge after a winter in hibernation. On the open road they feel freedom and excitement – and take risks.
Natasha Lyubimova, one of Russia's most accomplished riders, is thrilled to be back in the saddle.
She’s a daredevil on the racetrack, where she is set to be Russia's first ever representative in the international women's championships.
But on the streets it's safety first – an attitude she fears not all the city's bikers share.
“You don’t respect yourself if you drive a defective motorcycle, without protection and don’t know traffic rules. You risk your own life and the lives of people around you,” she says.
Every year too many motorcyclists are killed on Moscow's roads. One of them was Leonid Nerushenko, singer with the Russian band ‘Dinamit’.
While his band mates and fans mourn his death, they can't help believing his style of riding was partly responsible.
Of course most of Moscow's motorcyclists drive carefully but are simply more vulnerable and exposed.
Experts say car drivers too must take more responsibility for keeping the roads safe.
Natasha Lyubimova asks all drivers to be friendly and to respect each other:
“I’d like to ask car drivers to be more considerate to motorcyclists. If you see a biker struggling through a traffic jam, let him pass. One second he’s here, the next – he’s gone. I believe, we must be more friendly and gracious to each other.”
discuss it
