Bikes, Helmets and Public Safety Concerns

by Dr. Dilshani Sarathchandra 

 

- on 03/30/2015 

The official government news portal of Sri Lanka recently reported that a ban on full-face helmets will be re-imposed starting April 02. The report argues that the “face of the motorcyclist should remain open for easy identification.” The ban, which was initially set to be imposed on March 21, is expected to counter the presumed increase in the number of crimescommitted by those wearing full-face helmets. On March 29th, Sri Lankan motorists protested in Colombo against the government’s decision to reinstate the full-face helmet ban. On surface, this issue seems to concern public safety, although one does not have to look too far to recognize the undergirding partisan politics that has fueled this debate.

Bikes, Helmets and Public Safety Concerns by Thavam Ratna