Speed riding has become a hazardous hobby in Kathmandu
In Kathmandu, speeding has turned into a dangerous habit, with young people. The age group of 18 – 35 years old has been identified as the most susceptible to traffic accidents. The number of high-speed collisions and drunk driving cases is steadily rising nationwide. According to Sanjay Raut, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and spokesperson, Bhaktapur’s six-lane road has turned into a significant accident hotspot. The majority of accidents occur at night and frequently include alcohol consumption. One of the main causes of this increase in accidents is the societal pressure on young men to take risks since it is seen as a sign of masculinity. According to experts, young men frequently feel pressured to demonstrate their bravery and fearlessness because they associate it with their identity and social status.
For many young people, speeding and doing stunts have become options. Social media, where unsafe activities are frequently documented and shared, exacerbates this issue even further. Rakesh Gupta, a Bhaktapur resident, has direct observation of this pattern. Peer competition increases the dangers and transforms Kathmandu’s congested streets into arenas for rash performances. Young motorcyclists’ erroneous perception of invincibility is contributing to the situation. According to Mirul Sharma, a frequent commuter in Kathmandu who rides a two-wheeler, many teenage riders are unaware of the hazards they are doing. Many people don’t think about the repercussions until they or a loved one are in a major accident.
