Amrit Vikram was one of the best and most responsible motorcyclists I have known in all my years as a motorcyclist. I am not alone in my opinion — all my friends felt the same about Amrit.
On October 15, he was riding alone to Kalba on his motorcycle and when approaching the first tunnel, he hit a bicyclist, who was taking a u-turn just at the entrance of the tunnel.
Normally, cyclists cool down at the entrance of the tunnel after a long haul up the hill. The significant aspect is that at this point, they leave behind the bright sunlight and enter the darkness of the tunnel.
In such situations, the eyes need several crucial milliseconds to adjust to the difference in light.
There is another key point: none of the cyclists in the tunnel heard Amrit's motorcycle approaching!
So both these elements — the blinding light and the lack of noise within the long tunnel — combined to create a tragic situation which killed two young men doing what they loved to do.
The best way to prevent such tragic accidents in the future is to introduce speed breakers at the entrance and exit of the tunnel. While there are radars within the tunnel, it does not stop motorists from speeding. Speed bumps would help slow them down and give motorists time to adjust to the difference in light. To honour the memory of Amrit, his friends organised a memorial ride from Dubai to Wadi Al Helo Tunnel on October 22, which was attended by more than 150 bikers and over 50 motorists. Spreading the news through word of mouth, the community came together to pay their last respects to their friend in this final ride of tribute. Amrit's acquaintances and friends can also post messages in memoriam online, at www.facebook.com/Amritvikram
The reader is a banker based in Dubai
