does stupidity grow on trees?

It's not been 2 or 3 weeks since the demise of those two young quad-bikers from a fatal accident here in Muscat. Everyone in the capital felt the blow from royalties to simple folk such as you and I. And we all thought that by now those young bikers who still rent or own such a bike would either take them back to the dealer's or perhaps picked a better spot to enjoy the sport in a safe and unfatal environment like a sand dune in Azaiba or Bowshar.


But this was not the case.

Wednesday and Thursday saw the 'gang' roll over the cycle all over again. And yet again, drivers and pedestrians as well as the riders themselves were the prey of the asphalt roads and its mercy on their ill-geared bodies and minds.

How ironic it was to see an advertisement issued for the public by theweek basically targetting the issue by saying 'there is a time and place for everything'. Unfortunately, though, it fell upon blind eyes and deaf ears.

I for one will uptake the fight at an even stronger level. Clearly the petition that was distributed electronically over the web was insufficient to drive the authorities to make a case of such irratic and irrational behavior.

So, this is my propostion to you.

If you should see one of these quad bikers, honk as loud as you can. Make the whole neighborhood aware that danger lurks on their streets. If you pass by a police vehicle on the same street, pull them over and report the incident and make sure they do something about it they are there to protect and to serve. Conduct a community service programme that tackles this very issue through awareness by media, pamphlets, posters and even big advertisements.

Nothing will be done unless this community takes a strong stance.