There has been this constant urge to stop them and ask what on earth keeps them from wearing that protective gear on their heads. Or to know why did they take that short-cut violating the one-way or the red traffic signal or this or that rule. This, of course, follows all that swearing and cursing that takes place on the city roads among commuters of all kinds and pedestrians, on account of literally hundreds of motorcycles that surround them.

On weekends, you are bound to see mostly young motorcyclists engaged in what they call ‘one-wheeling’ or other stunts, putting their own lives and of others at risk. And you just do not want to be a witness to that much-dreaded accident.

On weekends again, you may see many of them on a family excursion -- with small and big kids precariously perched along with adults on one vehicle. Sometimes, one of those children is asleep, making you want to stop and slap the driver awake.

Clearly, there is an absence of management of any kind by the governments and it’s a free-for-all situation. Yet the stereotypical image of motorcyclists is that of ‘reckless men’ about whom you can’t do much.

Perhaps, the time has come to ask them all the questions you have been meaning to ask.

Suhail, 52, has been riding a motorcycle for more than twenty five years now, without at any time owning one. "I have often borrowed or rented it, so there’s no question of having a helmet or wearing it."

His daughter has recently been hit by a motorbike badly fracturing her arm but Suhail has been lucky so far "because I drive very slow, about 40 kilometre per hour". What if a fast moving car hits him? "That could be devastating! (Phir to banda farigh hai!)" he admits.

But that did not stop him from putting all his four children ("when they were small") and wife on the bike and moving around because rickshaw "was unaffordable".

Helmet is not the topmost thing on motorcyclists’ minds because, apart from the hot weather, there’s God who will save them. Asad, 17, says he has no love lost for the helmet. He does not fear for his life because "God willing I’ve never had an accident". What does a helmet remind him of? "Heat, suffocation, sweat (garmi, ghuttan, paseena)," he says.

You remind them of how weather does not stop motorcyclists of other countries in the region from wearing helmets. What if the government here too decides to act strict, impose laws and rules and expect every motorcyclist to wear a helmet? "The day that happens, I too will start wearing a helmet." Is that possible? "Yes, if they stop us at every traffic signal and impose fines like they too for our registration papers, people will start wearing helmets."

Both Asad and his friend Farooq drive without any form of drivers’ license because "we’re not yet 18 and thus not eligible for a national identification card (NIC)". So have they thought of a situation where the traffic police got its act together and not let them drive? "In that case, we shall wait another year. After all, Pakistan is our country and if there is law and order, we will be happy about it," says Farooq.

Both friends admit to ‘one-wheeling’ when among friends but claim they are not ‘professional wheelers’: "We do it for fun’s sake (shokhi ke lieye). God willing we have not had any accident so far but we have seen our injured friends." They also admit to teasing the slow motorcyclists in the side lane.

Ashraf, 30, who is with his wife and three small children, says helmet is difficult to wear in this hot weather. "It is indeed important for safety but I only wear it when I have to go on a long route."

What does he think of motorcycle as a mode of transport and should he be carrying his children on it? "It is convenient because rickshaw is expensive. We have to bear just the petrol cost and the family is ready to move. But yes, it’s unsafe for children."

The responses are eerily similar: Children on motorcycles without any safety gear are unsafe; helmet is important but they’d rather not wear it because it’s hot; they drive slow and with God’s blessings have stayed safe, at least so far; motorbikes help you reach your destination quick; most importantly, if the government decides to impose rules they are all ready to follow them.

Ishaq, 31, is no exception. "I wear helmet only when I have to go to my in-laws (susraal)." That means as long a commute as between Lahore and Pattoki. Does he not think of getting a rickshaw for his wife and child? "We have a bike, what do we need a rickshaw for?" he innocently asks.

Amir, 17, has a helmet lying at home. He too feels hot wearing a helmet, though "helmet ensures more safety". Driving a motorbike for three years already, he claims he drives "slow and in the side lane". He has an utter distaste for those who engage in one-wheeling because "it’s a bad habit (ganda shauq)".

Like others, Amir is open to the idea of wearing a helmet once an across-the-board restriction is imposed.