Bicycle riding is one of the few outdoor pleasures of childhood that young people in the UAE can explore to an extent, even in the summer months. Early morning and evenings, accompanied by adequate hydration are a good time to go riding, to explore the community with your friends.
But, accidents can and do happen, especially when rules are violated. One of the main one being riding without adequate safety gear, along with venturing into high-traffic zones such as main roads.
As per international studies and reports, several hundred thousand children end up in the emergency department of hospitals from injuries sustained during riding. And a percentage of them die from the injuries sustained to their head. Does this mean we should abandon this fun activity? No. But, always ensure you are wearing your helmet and the necessary reflector vest.
They offer you that element of advantage in an otherwise bad situation. However, it is also not meant to make the wearer complacent because a helmet protects you to a point. So, don’t ride on roads, use designated areas.
A quote from UK-based Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation to The Times, reads: “In cases of high impact, such as most crashes that involve a motor vehicle, the initial forces absorbed by a cycle helmet before breaking are only a small part of the total force and the protection provided by a helmet is likely to be minimal in this context.
“Cycle helmets provide best protection in situations involving simple, low-speed falls with no other party involved.”
So, be safe, ride safe. And this is the issue raised by the top winner of the community reports competition for July, 2016. Keshav Nair, in his article, “Cycle safely to avoid accidents, injuries”, published on July 18, talks about children racing without helmets on a road in the residential area of Sharjah. A disaster waiting to happen!
Second place goes to Gulf News reader Lynn D’Souza, for her report, “How can people be so careless?”, published on July 25. In it, she reported on a rather startling issue – people cooking in the balcony of their apartment.
As per the US National Fire Protection Association, “four out of five fire-related deaths among civilians occur in the home”. And this happens because people are either distracted or there aren’t adequate precautions in place. And people cooking in a balcony would definitely be a fire hazard. The authorities repeatedly talk about fire safety, but people fail to pay heed for reasons ranging from economics to lack of education. So, what can we do about it at a community level? Report it, when we witness it.
Third place winner is the article, “A garden in your balcony for a cleaner, greener planet”, by one of our young community reporters Rose Vincent. She realises the importance of conservation, of saving the environment, so grows tomatoes and okra in her mother’s garden. The young are our future. We hope that she inspires many more like her.
Do you have community issues that need to be covered? Share it with us. Report for us. Be the change.
PROFILES
First: Keshav Nair
Published on July 18, 2016
Keshav Nair, a student based in Sharjah, believes that it is the duty of every resident to give back to the community in any way possible. “I hope I have done my share for my society,” he said.
On the subject of community reports, Nair thinks that this is a “great platform” provided by Gulf News to “spread awareness about issues experienced by the UAE residents, so that others can be aware”.
After his report was published, Nair received positive feedback from many of his friends and relatives and this, he says, will help him to continue doing his bit for the community around him.
Second: Lynn D’Souza
Published on July 25, 2016.
Lynn D’Souza, a student based in Sharjah, was visiting an uncle in Dubai when she came across a concerning sight of a man cooking in a balcony. She was worried about how this individual was putting his life, and the lives of all the residents of his building, at risk.
Additionally, a clothes rack was left out to dry, “when the balcony wasn’t fully able to accommodate the stand”.
“I fail to understand how one can be so irresponsible?” wondered D’Souza.
Third: Rose Vincent
Published on July 7, 2016.
Rose Vincent, a Pupil based in Dubai, refers to herself as a “bit of an environmentalist”. As a member of the environmental club at her school, she has always been interested in doing something to help make the planet greener.
She said: “Community reports are one of the best platforms to get messages concerning the neighbourhood, community, society and environment to people.”
With her report, Vincent hopes to get on track and focus more on community journalism and inspire people her age to do more good for the planet.
— Profiles compiled by Rabab Khan/Community Interactivity Editor
