Bangalore: Ride on footpath, lose your licence

Bikers riding on footpath are not an uncommon sight in the city. Although an offence, city traffic police, too, have been lax about punishing the offenders, but not anymore.

The Citizen Forum Meeting that was held on Saturday threw light on this nasty act and now the traffic police are all set to punish the violators. And, this does not involve merely collecting fines. If a traffic police spots anyone riding on the footpath, he will immediately seize the motorist's driving licence and even suspend it under Section 20 of the Motor Vehicle Act.

"Riding on footpaths is a dangerous trend, which is putting innocent pedestrians' life at risk," said additional commissioner of police (traffic) MA Saleem.

He added that, in the past 10 days, 265 driving licences have been seized from traffic violators. "We have sent those licences to the court to take further action. We have also written to the RTO officials to cancel those licences," Saleem said.

The traffic cops have started removing footpath parking and other obstructions.

In some places like Russell Market, Broadway Road, and Cockburn Road, all obstructions have been removed and the BMTC busses are allowed to ply after more than 20 years. The police will also put up more road signs to benefit the motorists.