The Central government has made anti-lock braking system (ABS) mandatory in entry level two-wheelers manufactured in India from January 1. This also includes electric bikes and scooters. ABS is a technology that prevents the wheels of a bike or scooter from locking when sudden braking is applied.
Suppose a person is driving at a high speed and suddenly a person or vehicle comes in front of him. If he applies sudden brakes, the wheel of the bike without ABS may get locked, causing the bike to slip and an accident may occur.
In this situation, ABS repeatedly turns the brake on and off so that the wheel does not get locked and the rider can control the bike. According to studies, ABS can reduce the chances of accidents by 35-45%. This technology can save lives, especially in the rain or on slippery roads.
The government's objective of making Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) mandatory is to reduce accidents involving motorcycles and scooters. The number of fatalities among two-wheeler riders in road accidents has been increasing steadily each year in the country.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued a notification saying that automakers will have to provide ABS in L2 category two-wheelers. Earlier this rule was mandatory for two-wheelers with 125cc engine and more capacity.
However, EVs with 50cc motor and top speed less than 50kmph have been exempted. Besides, with every two-wheeler, the dealer will also have to provide two BIS-certified helmets (one for the rider and one for the pillion).
Combi-braking system not as effective as ABS
Currently, small bikes (100cc-125cc) mostly have a combi-braking system (CBS), which uses both brakes together, but it is not as effective as ABS. According to the new rule, whether the bike is 100cc or 500cc, every new two-wheeler should have ABS.
Cost of two-wheelers may increase by 3 to 10 thousand
According to experts, the new rule may increase the cost of two-wheelers with engines smaller than 125cc by 3 to 10 thousand rupees because manufacturers will have to install disc brakes instead of drum brakes. By making ABS mandatory, companies will have to make major changes in both product design and manufacturing. This may increase the cost of these vehicles by up to 10 thousand rupees.
Prakash Kumar Pandey