Superbikes rally to protest New Year’s Eve drunk driving

On Sunday morning next week, Mumbai’s streets will witness a ‘convoy rally’ of superbikes, supercars and Bullets from Nariman Point to Bandra Bandstand to campaign against drunk driving and unsafe practices that cause HIV and AIDS on high risk occasions like New Year celebrations.

In all, there are expected to be more than 120 vehicles across categories. Some of the well-known brands and vehicle models that will participate include the BMW M3 and X6, Porsche Boxter and Turbo, Audi R8, Hayabusa, Ducati, Yamaha R1 and R6, Kawasaki Ninja 1400 R, Honda CB100 R and CBR. Also, two groups of bullet drivers — Roadshakers and Inddiethumpers will contribute 55 Bullets to the rally.

Driving in vertical formations of two, the motorists will carry banners, posters and other media to spread the message of safe and responsible driving, as well as physical precautions to be taken  to avoid the spread of HIV and AIDS.

The motorists will be joined by India’s first paraplegic athlete who’s represented the country at many international sports events, Deepa Malik. Regarded as the first paraplegic woman biker in the country, Malik will drive a four-wheeler All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), which has been specially designed for her. The rally has been endorsed by Governor of Maharashtra state, K Shankaranarayanan.

Vijay Jain of Wheelie-Boy Adventures India Ltd, the organisers of the event, hopes to convince people to drive responsibly. He feels that the enthusiastic participation of a paraplegic woman driver may convince people to drive safely and responsibly. 

Explaining the reason for organising a safe driving event led by motorcyclists, Jain says, “The idea is to promote safe and responsible driving and spread awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention. At the same time, we want to show that motorcyclists are socially responsible drivers too. The general impression about motorycle drivers is that they are irresponsible. But, that’s not true. We want to change this perception and also raise awareness about the seriousness of the drunk driving problem.”