Balaka Police cautions bicycle taxi operators
Balaka Police Station traffic officer Julius Phiri has advised bicycle taxi operators in the district to observe road signs to avoid road accidents.
He made the call on Wednesday when he met bicycle taxi operators at a meeting held at Balaka Police Station.
the bicycle operators
He said lack of knowledge of road signs and signals on the part of bicycle taxi operators contributes to the increase of road accidents in the district.
“Almost 80 percent of the road accidents occuring in the district involve cyclists which is a worrisome development,” said Phiri.
He, therefore, called on all bicycle taxi operators to observe road signs and see to it that their bicycles are roadworthy. He advised the operators to wear a reflector or white attire when cycling especially at night.
On carts being used to transport goods within the township, Phiri urged operators to see to it that they paste reflector tapes on the cart and the one pushing it should wear reflectors too.
Speaking at the same meeting, traffic inspector Yohane Mzama asked the bicycle taxi operators to park only in designated areas so as to bring sanity to the town.
He said police are not against their business, but want to promote road safety and curb preventable road accidents.
In his remarks, Balaka bicycle taxi operators chairperson Goodson Jambo complained of the conduct of some drivers who he said do not consider other road users but assured police that his committee will see to it that all the bicycles used as taxis are roadworthy and that cyclists wear reflectors at all times.
Balaka district has 2 400 registered bicycle taxi operators, according to the chairperson.
