Today, we will discuss and outline the ultimate motorcycle PDI checklist, also known as the Pre-Delivery Inspection checklist, so that you can eliminate most of the manufacturing defects on your new motorcycle and relax.

For a rider, Motorcycling is love. The very day we take it to our home, we get into a relationship with it emotionally. The process starts with either a need or a passion. We go through a lot of reviews, ask friends, compare the specifications, or evaluate our riding style to choose the perfect motorcycle. Then we finally arrange money and book our dream.

From booking to taking final delivery is one of the most anxious periods in our life. On the final day, we become so excited that we do not even check if it has problems or not. Only a few days or weeks later, we start to identify issues like a dent in the fuel tank or scratches in the headlight, or encounter a strange noise from the engine. It happens with almost everyone, even I faced this too.

My motorcycle (Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350) had problems with the self-start and petrol leakage. Later, I had to replace the clutch switch and carburetor in the first service (2016). I had to pay Rs. 90 for the clutch switch, and Royal Enfield replaced the carburetor for free under warranty.

My only point here is, if I had been thoroughly checked during the delivery, I could have identified the problems on the very first day. In my case, the issue was small, but for you, it might be very big. Even if you go through the owner’s manual, specifically the warranty terms, you may notice that there are a lot of clauses where the warranty is not applicable.

To be on the safe side, you must always do PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) so that most of the manufacturing problems can be isolated.

P.S. This Motorcycle PDI Checklist below may become long but I can assure you it is comprehensive. Still, if you want a compact version, let me know in the comment section, and I will add a downloadable pdf checklist.

Two-Wheeler Basic and Cosmetics Checklist

You may be surprised, but on many occasions, a new motorcycle can have cosmetic faults like dents, color fading, poor welding joints, or scratches. Sometimes these faults are so minute that the showroom guy might ask you to wait till the first service when they will solve it. This happens because this motorcycle traveled a long way from the manufacturing site and was poorly handled all the way.

You might want to ignore cosmetic faults, although I would never suggest that. Never ignore faults in functional parts like the chassis, headlight, engine, etc.

Basically, you need to inspect your new motorcycle in good lighting thoroughly. Sometimes, even the side or main stand may have defects like uneven length, poor welding, or jamming.

• Check and note the engine & chassis serial number physically.
• Check for scratches or dents in the tank, handlebar ends, levers, chassis, engine, radiator, crash (leg) guards, and footpegs.
• Look for rust and welding joints in every metal part.
• Check for scratches or cracks in the visor, headlight, mirrors, switches, indicators, tail lights, or any other plastic/fiber parts.
• The handlebars should be free to move and not bent.
• If the motorcycle has a radiator, its fins should not have bends.
• Keep your motorcycle standing on both sides of the main stand and check for its stability.
• Your motorcycle seat should not have any cuts or be out of shape. If possible, ask them to remove the seat cover for inspection (note: some dealers do not provide seat covers).
• Check all screws & bolts for tightness, especially in the handlebars, engine, mudguard, exhaust, brakes, chains, etc. Also, check if any of those have rusted or are out of shape.

Motorcycle Engine, Brakes, and Transmission Checklist

Now you once you are done with cosmetic parts. Let’s move to the heart of the motorcycle, the Engine, Brakes, and Transmission section of the motorcycle PDI checklist. 

• Check the Engine & brake oil levels, colors, and leakage.
• Whether the chain is lubed or not. Generally, a new motorcycle gets chain waxed.
• Look for gear shifting for smoothness and unwanted noise or slack.
• Check if there are any visible dents, scratches, or cracks near the Engine and transmission area.
• For a liquid-cooled motorcycle, check the coolant level and color.

Tire Thread and Pattern Checklist

A tire is one of the most important parts of a motorcycle because it surfaces the road and provides the necessary grip. Look at tire threads and patterns for defects, speed rating, and manufacturing date. A sealed tire may last for a long but if it is attached to a motorcycle, probably not.

• Check for correct air pressures
• Look for its threads, cuts, shape-shifting, stones, or even nails.
• Check the age of tires, too old may not last long.
• Sometimes dealers change the tire, so verify with the owner’s manuals for its size and thread pattern.

Electrical and Electronics Checklist

These days, almost every motorcycle has a lot of electronics and electrical parts other than basic lights/indicators. Even a few electronic features like ABS, Traction Control, Side Stand sensor, and Fuel Injection are so important that without these, probably your motorcycle will never start.

• Turn on headlights, indicators, auxiliary light (if applicable), tail lights, and check.
• Switch on the motorcycle and look for the lights blinking on the console. If needed, start the motorcycle and check if everything is normal.
• Engage the side stand (applicable for side stand indicators only), and honk to check battery health.
• Ask them to open the battery panel and check for battery specs and leakage.

Motorcycle Accessories Checklist

Check all the accessories you must get with a motorcycle, like the main stand, saree guard, mirror,and crash (leg) guard (optional, depends on the brand and specific motorcycle).

Sometimes you may get freebies like a helmet, seat cover, keyring, chain lube/cleaner, motorcycle cover, etc.

Finally, Test Ride the Motorcycle

It is the most important section in the motorcycle PDI checklist where you will check and learn about your new motorcycle more.

• Start your motorcycle and notice if it sounds any different. Do the same with continuous and gentle throttle blipping. Also, look for ticking tappet noise.
• Check if white smoke is coming out of the exhaust.
• Self-start the motorcycle a couple of times to check battery health.
• Put the motorcycle in the main stand, give a light throttle in first gear, and check for tire wobbling or jamming or if the brakes are okay. Sometimes new brake pads may resist the wheel’s free rotation, look for that too.
• Check all the electronics and electricals thoroughly; the console indicators should be normal.
• Before you take a test ride of your motorcycle, check if the engine is struggling at low RPM (idling).

Now you should take at least a 1-2 kilometer long test ride to find out if everything is fine or not.

Motorcycle Papers and Documents Checklist

Let’s come to one of the most important points, papers and documents. First of all, you must know what documents your motorcycle should have, then we will discuss what documents you will get and when. Below are the required and must-have documents for a motorcycle

1. Registration Certificate
2. Tax token/Certificate
3. Insurance (Mandatory 5 years of insurance)
4. Pollution
5. Number Plate
6. Bill or Invoice of purchase

While you need to carry the first five documents all the time and the last one is for your proof, or if you want to sell the motorcycle later.

Please keep in mind, during delivery, you will only get the Insurance policy papers (Validity- 5 Years as per the latest Indian Government rules) and the Invoice. By default, any new vehicle has a non-pollution declaration sticker attached, but in many cities, police don’t consider that valid.

So, it is advisable not to take your motorcycle out before getting the number plate, Tax Token, PUC (Pollution Under Control Certificate), and RC (Registration Certificate).

In general, the number plate takes about 7-15 days, and the rest, like tax token & RC, may take up to 30 days. Keep in touch with the dealer or showroom guy to be updated. Once receive all the required documents, get yourself a PUC certificate.

Conclusion on Motorcycle PDI Checklist

Finally, I would say, taking a dream bike home is not easy at all. Starting from deciding the budget, selecting the perfect motorcycle, arranging money for it, so be sure you are taking your new motorcycle only not any problems.

Hope you find this motorcycle PDI checklist helpful. If yes or even otherwise, let us know in the comment section. 

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Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

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The most basic safety feature a motorcycle must have is ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), which prevents wheels from locking in panic or hard braking situations. Each year, hundreds of riders die on the road just because they lack safety features like a helmet, riding gear, or proper control of their motorcycle, although there are many other factors; still, we simply cannot neglect our faults.

Today, we will discuss what is Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is, how it works in motorcycles, and its importance in your safety. Skip risking your life!

How ABS works?

The working mechanism of an ABS is easily understandable by its name; whenever the rider applies the brake, it prevents the wheel from locking, but the question is, how?

An ABS electronic controller monitors the wheel rotation (rpm) and how much brake pressure (through brake fluid) is applied continuously so that it can automatically reduce brake pressure when it is about to lock the wheel, then immediately reapply again and continue to do so until the wheels stop. 

This happens so instantaneously that, from the rider’s perspective, he noticed nothing extra was happening behind the scenes, rather than simply engaging the brake, and the motorcycle stopped.

You can watch a small video clip explaining how ABS works and its benefits from the class leader, Bosch.

Note: Most of the motorcycle ABS systems work at speeds of 30-40 Kmph or above.

Why ABS is a must-have Safety Feature?

For a very experienced rider who probably learned motorcycle riding in drum brakes, they may feel ABS is overrated, but trust me, it is not, and here is why? Controlling a motorcycle during hard braking is always a difficult task because

1. Handling drastically reduces; otherwise rider may lose control and skid.
2. Due to wheel-locking, a motorcycle may become unstable in unpredictable patches like mud, sand, ice, rocky & slippery terrains.
3. Immediate stop for any reason from a good speed (more than 60 Kmph) could create more pressure on your legs, hands, neck, or even spine.

Now, I am 5.5 ft and own a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 (2015) without ABS. Obviously, on many occasions, like in Ladakh, Nainital, and Sikkim, I felt out of control due to panic braking. To overcome this, I had to engage the brakes or pump the brakes, although this worked well, still having an extra set of safety features that will get your back is quite justified.

Lastly, most of today’s newbies lack patience & will to control the motorcycle power despite the fact, current motorcycles are getting more power and torque figures day by day, even applicable for smaller displacement (cc) motorcycles. That is why ABS became a must-have safety feature.

Advantage

1. ABS ensures great handling & maneuverability during hard braking, and even braking distance becomes shorter.
2. Boosts confidence to ride and control a motorcycle better.
3. ABS might enhance fuel economy due to controlled braking.

Disadvantage

1. As ABS needs extra components like sensors, controllers, etc., the cost of a motorcycle increases.
2. Many riders become reckless cause they think nothing wrong could happen to them.
3. The same version of the ABS-equipped motorcycle weighs more than its non-ABS version.
4. Replacing a faulty ABS may cost you more, but remember, life is more important than money.

Single-channel and Dual-channel ABS

ABS can be either a single-channel or dual-channel system. To simplify things, if a motorcycle has disc brakes in both wheels, it might have dual-channel; otherwise single-channel is only applicable for the front disc brake. 

Generally, front-wheel locking is considered to be more dangerous than rear-wheel locking as we steer through it. So, a single channel is the minimum you must have. But if a motorcycle has punchy brakes in its rear wheel too, then dual-channel ABS is always recommended.

Installing ABS on a non-ABS motorcycle?

The only prerequisite to have an ABS system is a Disc brake because it measures the brake oil pressure to work. Although aftermarket so-called mechanical ABS is available, those are of no use, literally NO USE. Hence, OEM-fitted ABS is the only way; also, please never try to convert your non-ABS motorcycle to an ABS system. They often lack integrity and fail; the last thing you may want is to risk your life.

Latest ABS-related rules in India

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had issued a mandatory rule stating that all two-wheelers having more than or equal of 125cc or below must have ABS (Anti-Brake Locking System) and CBS (Combi Braking System), respectively, in effect from April 2019.

Conclusion

ABS is a lifesaver, especially for two-wheeler, but it can also pamper your riding habits, although it is quite dependable, still you need to be more cautious with your braking patterns, in case it fails middle of nowhere, you might not want to meet with an accident.

Finally, we would always recommend purchasing a motorcycle with dual-channel ABS, and if it comes with ABS on/off functionality, do practice occasionally in ABS off mode so you don’t do wrong in case of ABS failure or riding a motorcycle without ABS.

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Don’t forget to check out our complete Ladakh Ride Blog series.

Certainly, if you loved this post, share this with your buddies. Also, if I missed out on anything, do let me know in the comments section. I will include it in the post.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead. Always be safe on the road.

The post Why Motorcycle ABS is Important for Your Safety? appeared first on Rider Escaped

Coronavirus and its disease COVID-19 are seriously hampering people’s daily lives, the country’s economy, etc. People are so disturbed and depressed that they want to go outside, maybe for work or just for the sake of refreshment from long-term quarantine boredom.

Stop. If you too feel the same, read the article first. Here, I have mentioned some Coronavirus tips you may like to follow, especially if you want to be safe.

First, let’s see the current COVID-19 figures

While the recovery rate across the world is approximately 42%, we cannot say the dangerousness of the coronavirus variant is fading away. Rather, due to its constant mutation, it is changing drastically; in a few regions, the effectiveness became low, somewhere it became higher.

The only workaround we have as of now is social distancing, and obviously, in public roads and malls, we will not have that. Hence, if you are really feeling bored, my first advice would be to sit tight for a couple of more days. 

In case you have determined that you will go out for whatever reason, maybe for work or just a stroll, follow the coronavirus tips below.

Social Distancing is the key

If there is a way to avoid going out during rush hours, do that. Maybe in the early morning, noon, or afternoon, roads will be less crowded and then you will be less prone to getting the infection. 

• In case you are traveling through public transport, maintain at least a 1-meter gap.
• Always wear a mask while outside, and if possible, use surgical gloves.
• Don’t consume unhygienic foods or drinks.
• You should not handshake or hug someone; instead, you may wave.
• Try to avoid public toilets as much as possible.
• Avoid common touchpoints like handles, grab rails, or anything publicly exposed.
• Lastly, never spit in public places.

Mask, Hand Sanitizer, and Gloves are your current armor

Wearing a mask and gloves might keep you safe, but washing, sanitizing, or changing them at times is important too. I would always recommend using a single-use mask and gloves, so that you can dispose in the bin at the end.

• Don’t throw used masks and gloves in open trash bins or public places.
• Every time you wear a mask or remove it, sanitize your hands, especially palms and fingers, properly.

Take care of yourself and others

Should you feel a cough, fever, or breathing problem, call 1075, the helpline number, immediately. For other health issues, don’t ignore; call your doctor at the earliest.

A few more general coronavirus tips to follow, like

• Always cover your nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing.
• Never participate in any kind of mass gatherings like protests, religious events, etc.
• Wash your hands as frequently as possible, especially before touching your nose, mouth, or eyes.
• If you ever feel suspicious but there are no symptoms, self-quarantine yourself.
• Keep yourself updated through the Aarogya Setu app and news.
• Always follow the guidelines prescribed by local authorities.

Finally, I would again request you not to go outside until you have no choice. 

Important Contacts and Apps

• The Helpline Email ID for coronavirus: ncov2019@gov.in
• The Helpline Number for coronavirus: +91-11-23978046
• Toll-Free No: 1075
• Aarogya Setu App link: Android & IOS

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We are planning to post a weekly update on COVID-19, considering the fact that the news is constantly updating. Till then, subscribe to the Rider Escaped Newsletter and connect with us on Social platforms to get future updates quicker.

Don’t forget to check out our Ultimate Gangtok Tour Guide.

Thank you!

Could you please spare a moment to share these tips with your friends and family, and help them to use the Aarogya Setu Application too.

Lastly, spread out the correct information & awareness to all friends, family, and everyone. Let us fight together. We will try to update the info on a regular basis, so you may like to subscribe to our push notifications also.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

The post Coronavirus Tips: Don’t Go Out Or Be Alert appeared first on Rider Escaped

Hope you are safe after the Amphan Cyclone!

Everyone slowly started coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly we got the Amphan Cyclone alert, especially for West Bengal and Odisha people it was nothing but like tends to end.

Generally Kolkata gets moderate loss in any cyclone like Bulbul, Hudhud, Fani, etc. But this time Amphan Cyclone seems to be horribly destructive in Kolkata. Hundreds of big trees are uprooted into roads, wires, homes, small shops, even cars. Many buildings previously marked as “Dangerous Building”, already lost a few of its parts, homes without casting lost its asbestos sheet or tile roof (টালির ছাদ). Traffic signal post, roadside light post almost everything took a severe hit.

What is Amphan Cyclone?

Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan (/ˈʊmpʊnˈ/) was a powerful tropical cyclone that caused widespread damage over Eastern India and Bangladesh on 20th and 21st May 2020. Cyclone Amphan is also the costliest cyclone ever recorded, shattering The 12 Year 12-year-long record of Cyclone Nargis. Amphan Cyclone originated from a low-pressure area persisting a couple of hundred miles east of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 13 May 2020.

Quick facts about Amphan Cyclone

1. Wind speeds of 140 knots (160 mph; 260 km/h) sustained for 1 minute.
2. Wind speeds of 130 knots (150 mph; 240 km/h) sustained for 3 minutes.
3. A minimum central barometric pressure of 925 mbar (27.32 in Hg).
4. Kolkata faced an average of 100-120 km/h cyclonic storm, and the maximum speed reached 133 km/h at 7:20 PM, 20th May 2020.

Kolkata, Hooghly, Howrah, East Midnapur, North, South 24 Parganas, and the Coastal areas in Odisha were badly affected by the Amphan cyclone. It also caused significant destruction in Bangladesh.

Amphan effect in my area, Kolkata

Although electricity in my exact area is not that badly affected, thanks to God. But in places, there are different dangerous incidents that happened as electricity wire fell into water-logging and road caused few casualties. Many people are out of electricity since 20th May 2020 even within a kilometer of my locality.

Internet, cable line and cellphone services are also severely affected due to losing multiple towers, wire cut, and electricity loss. Currently, in my area Jio is working fine but Airtel and Vodafone users are facing very frequent disconnection issues. Most of the cable operators are trying to restore cable connection so that people can at least watch television during this lockdown.

According to the News, 60% of cell phone towers are affected in 8 districts where Amphan entered.

In the current COVID-19 lockdown, almost everyone prefers to be at home, many of us are doing work from home or simply consuming social media a lot. But due to these few hours of Cyclone Amphan, everything changed. No entertainment, no work, not even getting news on the current situation. Lastly, due to the mobile signal issue, we cannot talk to our loved ones, all of this makes this a huge mess, literally a panicked-like scenario.

This horrible cyclone Amphan happened on 20th May and the next day I just got shocked to see many roads are blocked by uprooted trees. In a few sections, multiple trees have fallen like a jungle between city roads. Cars, small shops, light posts, trams, and other wires were laid down like hell.

It is better to say that Nature finally answered to all our bad works.

Amphan Cyclone effect, Bethun College Hedua, 21st May 2020

Amphan Cyclone effect, road block for uprooted tree, 21st May 2020

Amphan Cyclone effect, tree uprooted in Bidhan Sarani, 21st May 2020

Amphan Cyclone effect in Bidhan Sarani, 21st May 2020

Amphan Cyclone effect water-logging, 21st May 2020

As per the state government, almost 1 lakh crore worth of damage occurred, and also more than 72 people were found dead (more than 150 in India) due to Cyclone Amphan. Currently, due to the COVID lockdown, many people are not earning money, in this cyclone really made everything more devastating.

Thanks to the Chief Minister of West Bengal and every frontliner

Truly speaking State Government, especially the Honorable Chief Minister of West Bengal, Smt. Mamata Banerjee tried a lot. For example, moving approximately 6 Lakh people from roads, Jhupris, weak or raw homes to the nearest shelter including all fisheries. She repeatedly requested everyone to stay home and also monitored the situation herself from the control room throughout the time.

• As a preventive measurement, The state government turned off electricity in many places to avoid collateral damage through wire cut.
• Repetitive announcements through SMS the news seem to reach the maximum people.

As a human being, we do not harness any power to withhold natural calamity or a disaster like Amphan cyclone. But she did an outstanding job and Thank You for whatever we all can save under her leadership and guidance. Readers, please don’t be political, this is a perfect example of humanity we all should learn or maintain and every person including influencers like politicians should also do the same.

Lastly, I would like to thank you, news channels like ABP Ananda, Zee 24 ghanta, News 18, and their respective news reporters, anchors. They really gave us timely updates, which helped a lot to save ourselves; they made the impossible possible.

We should be ready next time

Definitely, this kind of natural calamity can never be stopped nor can we guarantee zero casualties, but we can take proactive measures to minimize the effect.

1. All the electrical, cable TV and telephonic wires should go underground just like water lines.
2. Drainage systems need to be cleaned frequently. Although this is already evident in many places.
3. All large and high hoarding, banner, and advertisement boards should go through integrity inspection regularly.
4. The State Government should mark and enforce immediate repair to all dangerous buildings.

Important Link

• Amphan Cyclone Wikipedia

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Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

Tell Us

How was your experience in the Amphan Cyclone? How much are you or your nearest ones affected?

The post Amphan Cyclone effect in Kolkata, 20th May 2020 appeared first on Rider Escaped

Undoubtedly, COVID-19 has made a lot of problems at each level, be it as an individual, a community, or as a whole country; everyone is affected and continuing to do so.. 

Still, COVID-19 has pointed us important factors to look after like medical facilities, education systems, nature, work culture, etc.

Today we will discuss 5 key lessons to learn from the COVID-19 Pandemic, which forced us to look after and re-focus our priorities.

COVID-19 showed us where to Focus Immediately

This COVID-19 pandemic showed us, we are still not ready to fight this kind of large-scale massacre. Whatever you or the government might say/think, we need far better medical infrastructure, be it in research or daily health services. We might excel in rocket science or in any other field, but as the first and most important key lesson, we must look after the Education and Health Care systems as a basic need.

A few recommendations to make for Health services in India

1. Government and government undertaking hospitals need to be available to provide better service in this kind of situation.
2. Many government hospitals provide free services, but the facility or cleanliness is below standard in some cases, or nonexistent. They can start charging significantly lower fees to improve their facilities.
3. I can understand that rich or ultra-rich people can afford the best nursing homes or private hospitals. But any government hospital should look after middle-class people or below, who can’t afford the expenditure of private hospitals. As citizens, we all deserve decent and clean hospital beds, if not the best at the lowest cost possible.

Not only that our research need to evolve a lot to fight against this kind of virus outbreak. Every Medical facility, like research center, hospitals, clinic, and their staff, should be in harmony to work & learn together.

Lastly, our Education System plays a crucial role here; we lack basic education, I am not talking about mainstream education only rather general knowledge, sex education, morale, and real-life lessons also.

I personally believe these, along with basic education, have to reach every layer of our society; only then will people understand the intensity, importance, and their responsibility in these kinds of situations.

Mother Nature is healing herself, and it is evident

We admit it or not, we were continuously harming nature in our daily lives by having a lot of transportation, littering everywhere, etc. The second key lesson to learn from COVID-19 is to respect Mother Nature. We are part of nature, and maintaining the balance is our duty.

Currently, as this lockdown has stopped almost every public transport, people are not roaming and littering here and there, and nature tends to heal itself. We can see a clear blue sky, breathing a lot of fresh air, probably after decades, which further reduced the chronic cough caused by pollution for many.

In places, many endangered or rare animals have been spotted.

1. Nilgai was spotted near the Great India Place mall in Noida.
2. Spotted deer were sighted in and around Tirupati, the temple town.
3. Indian civet was sighted while using Zebra crossing in Meppayur in Kozhikode.
4. Residents of Mumbai’s Khareghat Parsi Colony witnessed dozens of peacocks.
5. One-horned rhino spotted in Sonapur town, Guwahati.
6. Almost after 7 seven years, turtles have been seen nesting in Odisha’s Rushikulya rookery and Gahirmatha Beach. Seems like lack of tourists and boats made them come out of the shell.
7. Dolphins were spotted in the waters of Marine Drive and Malabar Hill, Mumbai. While it is not that rare to spot them there but definitely this time, they were very close to the coast.

To know more, click here.

Truly, we became unhygienic

Believe it or not, most of us used to have outside junk foods and drink every day. Out of all excuses and reasons, like our cook did not come, we got late, or we forgot to carry our tiffins, lunch, or even dinner, we used to harm ourselves and our digestive system.

Due to this COVID situation and extended lockdown, most of us are staying inside our houses. We now have homemade fresh food, which has helped a lot to recover our digestive system.

Lastly, with the help of less pollution, we now have healthier and tan-free skin.

Work from Home must be an option

Work from home is becoming a trend now, many IT companies, even Government organizations, are promoting this to provide continuous service & support, and also most importantly, prevent unemployment. This culture is not newly invented, rather has been working for nearly a decade or so, for many IT companies at least. Not only in this kind of pandemic situation, but it can be useful in regular life as well.

Suppose a pregnant lady gets a minimum of 6-9 months of leave, what if she can work from home whenever she can, at least it will boost the productivity of the organization same goes for a mild-ill person or someone having an hour of personal work at home.

The main challenge of working from Home can be tracking whether someone is working or not. Slowly but definitely, people will understand that they can benefit from working from home. So the chances of them not working should drastically reduce over time. Otherwise, there are many technical solutions or software available to track the same.

Lastly, working from home can be beneficial for organizations, especially from an infrastructure maintenance perspective.

COVID lockdown warned us to be better and safer

Except for the frontline warriors like the doctor, nurses, policemen, and all who are directly fighting the pandemic, we all have time to self-assess ourselves, to point out our mistakes, and improve.

Some of us may be running after money, a better lifestyle, a bigger home, or our life partner. This unexpected lockdown pauses almost everything; now we can easily differentiate between basic needs and luxury, so it is with our goals in life. If you still have not gotten what change should make you better, read our post 7 ways to be a better version of yourself.

It says the situation teaches us everything, correct. This time, it is teaching us to be safer, also. In the last few months, we rediscovered many known words like sanitization, social distancing, quarantine, and I don’t think we can just let them go. We should make it a practice over time. This will not only help us to stay safe but also be healthier.

Even after lockdown, we should maintain minimal social distancing in public transportation like trains, buses, metros, and congested public places like markets, malls, and tourist places. We should cover our face while sneezing or use a mask for a cough or the same kind of common illness.

It is true that COVID-19, a.k.a SARS-CoV-2, has caused a lot of casualties and continues to do so. But we can neither let our hope nor the positive side of the COVID-19 lockdown fade away. At least for a few years, we have to live with it and its effects. There are many key lessons we can learn from COVID-19 related to finance, transportation; we will discuss those later.

Important Contacts and Apps

• The Helpline Email ID for coronavirus: ncov2019@gov.in
• The Helpline Number for coronavirus: +91-11-23978046
• Toll-Free No: 1075
• Aarogya Setu App link: Android & IOS

Important Link

• World Health Organization
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• The Helpline Numbers of States & Union Territories for coronavirus
• Official Link of Aarogya Setu App

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We are planning to post a weekly update on COVID-19, considering the fact that the news is constantly updating. Till then, subscribe to the Rider Escaped Newsletter and connect with us on Social platforms to get future updates quicker.

Don’t forget to check out our Kolkata City Tour Guide.

Thank you!

Could you please spare a moment to share this “5 Key Lessons to Learn From COVID-19 Pandemic” post with your friends and family, and help them to use the Aarogya Setu Application too.

Lastly, spread out the correct information & awareness to all friends, family, and everyone. Let us fight together. We will try to update the info on a regular basis, so you may like to subscribe to our push notifications also.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

The post 5 key lessons to Learn from COVID-19 Pandemic appeared first on Rider Escaped

Govt. of India recently launched a health-related application, Aarogya Setu. This application was mainly developed and promoted for contact tracing of COVID-19-positive or suspected persons near us. But it seems to have many more functionalities like tips to stay safe, regular COVID-19 updates, self-assessment, and many more.

Today, we will discuss how to install, set up, & use the Aarogya Setu app, its importance, and limitations.

Quick facts about the Aarogya Setu application

1. It was launched on 2nd April 2020.
2. This application is available on IOS (App Store) and Android (Play Store).
3. Approximate download size 3-5 MB (Android) and 15-35MB (IOS).
4. Within a month, this application is installed on over 50M+ devices.
5. We can use this application in 12 languages.

Device Requirements

1. This Aarogya Setu application requires Android version 5.0 and IOS version 10.3 at a minimum, which makes this app robust in backward compatibility.
2. This application takes less storage than any basic game or application.
3. Bluetooth and GPS are required to be on always for better functionality.

How to install and set up the Aarogya Setu application (IOS & Android)

Step 1: Search and install the Aarogya Setu application in the Play Store (Android) & App Store (IOS) device. Otherwise, you can download using the Aarogya Setu App link – Android & IOS

P.S. It is the most recommended application in the health and fitness category in both IOS and Android platforms, so you should find it at the top of the search results.

Step 2: Once installed, open the application. For the first time, it will ask you to select your preferred language (note: you can change your language later).

Step 3: It will show you a few instructions in slides, like sharing the app, turning on Bluetooth, and enabling location service etc. At the last slide, it will ask you to register, followed by GPS and GPS permission, select always or Allow all the time.

Step 4: Enter your active mobile number and OTP to register. This is mandatory for contact tracing, details mentioned in the screenshot below. You should also read the Terms of Service and privacy also.

Step 5: Upon registering, it will collect your personal details like gender, name, age, profession, your travel history in 30 days, and whether you want to volunteer in need, then submit.

Step 6: Now the app will ask you whether you are well or not, followed by a 20-second self-assessment. It is recommended to assess yourself in the first place and at a regular interval later (please provide correct information for better results and proper contact tracing).

In self-assessment, it will ask whether any basic COVID symptoms are present or not, like whether you have a fever, cough, and breathing issues, and a few more, as mentioned in the video below.

Once done, hit OK to go to the dashboard, where it will show your current status based on self-assessment, like “You are Safe” in the video.

How to use the Aarogya Setu application 

• The top 3 icons are for the COVID incident report, whether your test is done or you have tested positive (hazard icon), share the application, and change the language.

Aarogya Setu App Dashboard

Aarogya Setu App COVID Status Update

Aarogya Setu App Share options

• Now there are four tabs named your status, media, COVID updates, and e-pass.
• Your status will show results as per your self-assessment first. Then things to do as safety measures. Followed by your nearby incidents, like how many tested positive, suspected COVID cases, or how many people self-assessed themselves. Helpline 1075 is also mentioned. Lastly, PM Cares donation links either through the official PM Cares website or UPI.
• The media tab lists all the trending videos related to the Aarogya Setu application, tips to stay safe, etc.

Aarogya Setu App Dashboard

Aarogya Setu App tips to stay safe

Aarogya Setu App Donation Options

Aarogya Setu App Media 1

Aarogya Setu App Media 2

Aarogya Setu App Media 3

• COVID updates tab will provide current figures about active, recovered, and deceased cases in total and statewide. This data gets refresh frequently to keep you updated.
• Lastly, the e-pass tab is for those who work as the frontline support in this pandemic situation, like medical staff, police, wholesalers, retailers, etc.

Aarogya Setu App Covid Updates total

Aarogya Setu App Covid Update Statewise

Aarogya Setu App e-Pass

What is the Importance of the Aarogya Setu application?

Firstly, out of approximately 1.38 billion (138 crores) population, tracing COVID-positive or suspected cases is next to impossible through the manhunt process and mass testing. That is why the government came up with a digital solution so that people can install it in their smartphone and self-assessed themselves which will further be used in contact tracing like if we pass by or interact with someone who tested positive after a week also, we will get notified and receive instructions on how to be safe and not to spread anymore.

It’s more than a month still many people taking things lightly by not following lockdown or official guidelines (like social distancing) and going into public places for unnecessary reasons. Through this app, they can at least check the latest COVID-related figures straight from the government (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) and will participate in the contact tracing process.

As per the government, every smartphone to be sold after the lockdown must have the Aarogya Setu app preinstalled, and its setup also becomes mandatory. Through this application, the government can do many health-related things, like file an incident report, share safety tips, share, be prepared for future epidemic or pandemic situations, etc.

Limitations of the Aarogya Setu application

As of now, this app is not pre-installed so there are many limitations from a user aspect, mainly

1. Currently, the user has a choice whether to install the Aarogya Setu application or not. Even if someone installed the application but did not set it up or self-assess themselves/it makes no sense.
2. The Aarogya Setu app does not force self-assessment after a regular interval.
3. This app needs GPS (location service) and Bluetooth turned on always, which is obvious for tracking, but the user may experience fast battery draining. And from the security aspect, if somehow the data gets leaked, millions of people and their respective devices may become vulnerable. I hope the government is/will definitely secure this data as much as possible.
4. Today, most smartphone comes with low power mode or battery saving mode, which restricts many functionalities to save battery consumption, including Bluetooth and GPS.
5. Lastly, there are a huge number of people, not use any smartphone or are beyond literacy to operate the app or understand the importance of this Aarogya Setu application.

Conclusion

The Aarogya Setu application is definitely a very good step from the government, considering we are in the digital era where many of us use smartphones virtually for everything, like payments, applications, shopping, gaming, finding a location, and learning something new. 

A few more handy functions may enrich this Aarogya Setu app more like online medicine and grocery shopping, especially for senior citizen users, at least during this pandemic situation.

We all must ensure everyone (using a smartphone) around us installs the application, and if needed, we should show them how to use it. I hope everyone understands the importance of contact tracing in this pandemic situation. Below are the Aarogya Setu application links for both IOS and Android platforms. Alternatively, you can also visit the official government websites or search in the respective app stores.

Aarogya Setu App link: Android & IOS

“No One can undermine National Unity”. – Ivica Dacic

Be safe, Be alert! Don’t let this virus infect you or your family.

Important Contacts and Apps

• The Helpline Email ID for coronavirus: ncov2019@gov.in
• The Helpline Number for coronavirus: +91-11-23978046
• Toll-Free No: 1075
• Aarogya Setu App link: Android & IOS

Important Link

• World Health Organization
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Center for Strategic and International Studies
• The Helpline Numbers of States & Union Territories for coronavirus
• Official Link of Aarogya Setu App

Follow Us

We are planning to post a weekly update on COVID-19, considering the fact that the news is constantly updating. Till then, subscribe to the Rider Escaped Newsletter and connect with us on Social platforms to get future updates quicker.

Don’t forget to check out our Kolkata City Tour Guide.

Thank you!

Could you please spare a moment to share with post with your friends and family, help them to use the Aarogya Setu Application too.

Lastly, spread out the correct information & awareness to all friends, family, and everyone. Let us fight together. We will try to update the info on a regular basis, so you may like to subscribe to our push notifications also.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

The post Why we must use Official Aarogya Setu App – Setup, Importance & Limitations appeared first on Rider Escaped

Our whole revolves around “I”. We always want to speak and hear about ourselves only. Some of you may think about what kind of rubbish is this, I love my family, or I can do anything for them. See, the word “I” still comes even when you’re talking. How careful you are to your besties.

These 7 ways to improve yourself in the COVID-19 lockdown are not about whether you know how to replace “I” with “we”. Rather, today, we will talk about how you can be a better version of yourself during this lockdown. In fact, the lockdown for coronavirus or COVID-19 is causing economic loss and many other problems. Like any other negative situation or event, it has a few positive sides as well. We all know that 21 days are enough to make a habit or leave one, and as this lockdown seems to be extended more than that (already many states in India announced a 16-day extension), this is the right time for us to improve ourselves.

Today, we will discuss how you can utilize this lockdown to be a better version of yourself.

1. Make Discipline a practice to improve yourself

Discipline is everything in life. Being an undisciplined person, all I can say, it is possibly the worst habit you may ever have or want to have. Maybe a few of you don’t even recognize this. Let me help you.

Suppose, yesterday you woke up at 5 AM, today at 8 AM, and maybe tomorrow at 11 AM. Discipline says you fix your wake-up time once, as per your convenience, and stick to it for life unless absolutely necessary. 

Discipline is the Bridge between Goals and achievements. – Jim Rohn

To easily understand and maintain discipline, you may create a daily, weekly, and monthly routine or schedule. Write every activity, assign a schedule, and most importantly, stick to it. Obviously, you will miss a day or two, but even for that also justify yourself and continue to maintain the discipline.

2. Find your goal in life and take the first step

Almost everyone lives their life for others; this is visibly not wrong, but somewhere down the line, we lack a greater meaning in our lives. We may earn a lot, have a complete family or a good house, but what about your years-long dream and improving yourself? 

Is it what you want for the rest of your life or something else? Ask yourself. If the answer is not clear or something else, don’t waste your time; it’s the very time you should move on. Try to write down your dream and see how detailed it is. You will taste the small but very first success of your dream right now.

I know it will be a hard choice to follow your dream, but trust me, at the end of the day, your heart will smile a lot. I decided this almost two years back with a lot of dilemmas. Maybe today I have not moved very far, but I am happy that I chose my dream over a normal IT job, and obviously, the most hated thing was office politics.

In case you can’t go full-time on your dream now, work part-time, and when you feel the joy of achieving something for yourself, not for your boss or company, you may turn right.

3. Rework and Rejuvenate every relationship

Every relation is important: friends, family, office colleagues, neighbors, everyone. Relationship teaches us bonding, strength, and happiness. Family is everyone’s supportive system, while friends, office colleagues are like honest teachers who either care for you or will strengthen you, and lastly, everyone else will test your humanity, morality, and common sense.

Family Is Not an Important Thing; It’s Everything. – Michael J. Fox

During this lockdown, start spending time with your families, maybe you can eat together, watch the news and discuss current situations for some time. This will definitely increase your bonding, make yourself happy and relaxed, give it a Try.

Lastly, if any relationship is really bothering you, get out of it to improve yourself, your inner soul.

4. Discover what is important to you and what is not.

We all should start listing our priorities in life. Sometimes we ignore the importance of the most precious things, like talking to family members, friends, or spending time with them. While giving top priorities to virtual and fake things like social media, games, movies, etc, they deserve quite a lesser importance.

By any means, I am not saying you should not play games, watch movies, or be active on social media, but maintaining a balance between virtual and real life is very crucial.

For example, we mostly use social media like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc., for entertainment purposes mainly. We rarely talk to friends or find useful information these days; rather, we get fake news, manipulative content, or unreal business promotions.

5. Start loving yourself again

In this part of the “improve yourself” journey, you should again start loving yourself. Generally, in the daily hustle, we forget to maintain or nourish ourselves, whether we don’t follow a diet or we forget how to take care of our obesity. After the lockdown, we will all be more one-sided towards work or money.

Loving Yourself is Basic. – Anonymous

This is the correct time we should evaluate ourselves and act accordingly. Some of you may need to start exercising, while some of you start skincare, hair fall, or diet, etc.

Once we start doing this, we will not only be younger or healthier but will be happy from the inside, and again we will fall in love with ourselves.

6. Prepare yourself for the future and worst days

We all know how this lockdown is affecting our pockets and the country’s economy. Many of us have already started getting depressed and the rest will also be soon. Don’t worry I am not exaggerating things but telling you my understanding.

There are many people who don’t save money or have very little savings. Due to the fact that many factories, companies, and transport are in suspended mode, associated workers are also lacking financial stability.

High and upper-middle-class may not get affected due to this lockdown directly, but as the lower tier starts breaking, they will also get impacted, sure.

We should prepare ourselves for the worst scenario. I hope that day will never come, but being mentally strong is very important. Additionally, we should also think about alternative income channels like private coaching, dropshipping, or anything we can go sideways.

Prepare for the worst and give your best. – Anonymous

7. Quit your bad habit or improve your good habit

After reading this post, take a pen and paper and start writing down 10 good habits and 10 bad habits side by side. Now go through each habit and decide whether this habit needs correction or you should get over of it. 

Never start working on all changes at a time; this will lead to nothing but failure. Give yourself at least a week’s time before you move to the next habit.

Conclusion: Let’s Do It Together

As a human being, I also have a lot of bad habits and lack discipline; let’s all do this together.

1. Make a list of 10 bad habits and 10 good habits
2. Give each habit a week’s time before we include the next.
3. Never give up on trying.
4. Create a routine and strictly follow it. Be the judge and self-evaluate every night.
5. Let each other know in the comment area what you achieved in a week’s time.

Anyways, every news channel, social media are continuously sharing information. Please pay attention to authentic news only. Although there are chances of getting fake news viral but use your sense and act accordingly.

Be safe, Be alert! Don’t let this virus infect you or your family.

Important Contacts and Apps

• The Helpline Email ID for Coronavirus: ncov2019@gov.in
• The Helpline Number for Coronavirus: +91-11-23978046
• Toll-Free No: 1075
• Arogya Setu App link: Android & IOS

Important Link

• World Health Organization
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Center for Strategic and International Studies
• The Helpline Numbers of States & Union Territories for corona-virus
• Official Link of Aarogya Setu App

Follow Us

We are planning to post a weekly update on COVID-19, considering the fact that the news is constantly updating. Till then, subscribe to the Rider Escaped Newsletter and connect with us on Social platforms to get future updates quicker.

Don’t forget to check out our Kolkata City Tour Guide.

Thank you!

Could you please spare a moment to share with post with your friends and family, help them to improve themselves too.

Lastly, spread out the correct information & awareness to all friends, family, and everyone. Let us fight together. We will try to update the info on a regular basis, so you may like to subscribe to our push notifications also.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

The post 7 Easy Ways to Improve Yourself in COVID-19 Lockdown appeared first on Rider Escaped

COVID-19 is a massively contagious disease all thanks to the latest coronavirus Sars-Cov-2. Almost every corner of the world is either infected or has great possibilities to become infected and India is no exception here. While this virus has a lesser mortality rate than its predecessor but can be easily spread throughout a country really fast.

In the last few weeks, we have already seen the number of infected people growing almost geometrically. With a huge population density, whole India may easily get infected in a whip. Today we are going to discuss 7 reasons why India maybe the next USA & Italy in terms of COVID-19 cases.

Before that let’s see what are the current figures throughout the world.

Population Density

Population density is the biggest factor to consider while facing a contagious virus outbreak like Sars-Cov-2 (latest variant of coronavirus). While China is still the most populated country in the world with an 18.47% share (~1.44 Billion) but India is slightly behind with 17.70% share (~1.38 Billion). Although the fact is the Population density of India is significantly larger 464 than china 153 almost 203% more. More population density means the spreading capability of an infected person will also be very high.

Poor Medical & Health Infrastructure

During any pandemic or epidemic situation, medical or health facilities become the most important factor and India is far behind the average scale. Sorry to say but We lack modern equipment, technologies and advance cure. There are few institutions or medical centers doing good these days but the figure is negligible in terms of population. Even ventilators which is one of the critical equipment needed in critical scenarios are prone to be outnumbered soon.

Solution: Every Indian medical team is already in research to find out a vaccine and also following International treatments. Every medical center, hospital, nursing-homes should get updates every day which will not only boost their morale but also treatment will get better.

Lack of public awareness & Knowledge

These days every government is doing exceptional work by spreading awareness in people through advertisement, campaign, and social media. Even celebrities also contribute their best to aware people. Still, many people seem to be reluctant to follow the guideline mostly due to illiteracy and economical problems. These people are not able to understand what quarantine or lockdown means? They even can’t imagine how bad this situation can be. For example, many landlords asked their tenants (who are in the direct frontline in this fight) to vacate and also people hitting policemen during the lockdown.

Solution: People need to consider this lockdown as Curfew, the government should arrange to get foods, medicines delivered to doorstep which will further cut the possibilities that someone will go outside. If needed local municipalities should publish few emergency contact numbers so that if anyone needs any essential items they can let concerned authorities know.

Economical Condition

Not only the country but per capita income is very important in this situation. Many people like daily wagers tend to resume their work in these COVID-19 lockdown situations. We can’t simply blame them, they live from hand to mouth without any savings or future planning.

Solution: The government is already taking bold steps like giving INR 500 or 1000 to needy people not only that essential item is made free at local ration shops any ration holder can avail the facility based on their current eligibility.

Inadequate Test kits

As WHO (World Health organization) already stated that Testing, Tracing, Isolation, and Quarantine should be the focus to fight against this COVID-19. But the fact is, India is lacking test kits which further restricts the process. For a country of 1.38 billion, thousands or even lakhs of test-kits will not be sufficient. Hence we cannot follow mass testing rather than wait till a patient reports similar symptoms. Meanwhile, those corona (Sars-Cov-2) infected people can easily spread among hundreds if not thousands.

Solution: A huge quantity of Test kits and ventilators must be available to every state. Mass testing seems to be the only proper solution to fight against COVID-19.

Medical staff are getting infected

Not only normal people but more than 50 army medical officers, nurses, many doctors are already infected and the number is increasing every day. They obviously followed the guidelines from WHO and ICMR during their duties but the fact they lack personal protection equipment (PPE) and sometimes the symptoms of an infected person are so mild that they can’t even be identified.

Solution: Enough Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) should be available to protect every frontline medical staff.

Lacking proper planning

We understand that the situation is rapidly changing but full proof planning is what we need following by proper execution. For instance, many small shopkeepers (except essential commodities) are keeping their shop open by lowering shutters to half. People are roaming with a bag to falsely show policemen they are out for vegetables, medicines or other important items. Some are gossiping in tea stalls, local garages or just outside of their house. Until the government announces a full lockdown in other words true curfew (Section 144) people will misuse these loopholes.

Solution: Only if the government arranges a delivery system, a countrywide arrest or fine on sight must be implemented additionally existing lockdown must be extended.

Conclusion

Considering the current scenario I don’t really think the government should withdraw the lockdown or provide any kind of relaxation. Instead, they should impose more restrictions.

Below is a comparison chart between USA, Italy, and India demonstrating how the percentage of cases growing week by week.

Anyways, every news channel, social media are continuously sharing information please pay attention to authentic news only. Although, there are chances of getting fake news viral but use your sense and act accordingly.

Be safe, Be alert! Don’t let this virus infect you or your family.

Follow Us

Click to follow our Social Media Handles to get the latest updates

We will post an update on current COVID-19 really soon, considering the fact that news is constantly updating. Till then please subscribe to Rider Escaped Newsletter to get future updates.

You may also want to check out our Kolkata City Guide.

Sources

• World Health Organization
• Worldometer
• Covid19india.org
• Hindustan Times
• News18

If you want to add any useful information, comment down below or mail us at info@riderescaped.com.

Lastly, spread out the correct information & awareness to all friends, family, and everyone. Let us fight together. We will try to update the info on a regular basis, so you may like to subscribe to our push notification also.

The post 7 facts India will be next USA in COVID-19 appeared first on Rider Escaped

These days, people are only talking about the CoronaVirus. Many people already know what it is and how to be safe in this epidemic situation. But sadly, there is a huge percentage who do not have clear information about this virus and COVID-19. Many people have or had business tours or a family vacation preplanned, which they do not want to cancel, asking whether this is serious or not.

Let it clear first, definitely, the World Health Organization already announced COVID-19 as an epidemic, and the exponential spreading rate of this virus is the most dangerous part. Today, we are trying to get you every detail about Coronavirus & COVID-19 first, you must know, then will talk about whether you should travel or not based on travel advisory published by the Government.

If you do not like to read this huge article, let me tell you now. NO, you must not travel if not very urgent emergency at the moment.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are causing illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Coronavirus can easily be transmitted between animals and people. As per detailed investigations, SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans.

Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered CoronaVirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

What are the potential symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are tiredness, fever, and dry cough. Whereas some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, a runny nose, a sore throat, or diarrhea.

These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.

Around 1 out of every 6 people who get COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems, asthma, or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.

People with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention immediately.

How to prevent COVID-19?

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illnes,s such as coughing and sneezing.

Protection measures for everyone

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website, and through national and local public health authorities. Authorities in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing or stopping their outbreaks. 

However, the situation is unpredictable, so check regularly for the latest news.

You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:

• Regularly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. (Soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub/sanitizer kills viruses)
• Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. (When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain a virus)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. (Touching surfaces can pick up viruses which can further spread to the eyes, nose, mouth even enter your body)
• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
• Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. (to protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.)
• Always follow the latest news about COVID-19 hotspots and especially in your area or city. If possible, avoid traveling to COVID-19-affected places  – especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease like asthma. (cThe hances of catching COVID-19 are higher)

Protection measures for visited COVID-19-affected areas in the last 14 days

• Follow the guidance outlined above (Protection measures for everyone)
• Self-isolate by staying at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache, low-grade fever (37.3°C or above), and a slight runny nose, until you recover. If it is essential for you to have someone bring you supplies or to go out, e.g., to buy food, then wear a mask to avoid infecting other people.
• If you develop fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers.

How COVID-19 Spread?

People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. 

Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.

COVID-19 Vaccine, medicine, and cure

While some Western, traditional, or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease. It is not recommended to self-medicate with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19.

However, there are several ongoing clinical trials that include both Western and traditional medicines.

To date, there is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-2019. However, those affected should receive care to relieve symptoms. People with serious illnesses should be hospitalized. Most patients recover thanks to supportive care.

Possible vaccines and some specific drug treatments are under investigation. They are being tested through clinical trials.

The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of your elbow or a tissue, and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing.

Footprints of Coronavirus till date

India (on 30th April 2020 16:30 IST)

• Total number of passengers screened at the airport: 13,54,858+
• Total number of Active COVID 2019 cases across India: 33338
• Total number of Discharged/Cured COVID-2019 cases across India: 8508
• Total number of Deaths due to COVID-2019 across India: 1082

Global (on 30th April 2020 16:30 IST)

• Total number of Active COVID-2019 cases: 1,996,823 (28,361‬ in the last 24 hours)
• Total number of Deaths due to COVID-2019: 228,517 (6,593‬ in the last 24 hours)

International Travel Advisory issued by Ministry of Health & FW (Govt. of India)

• Travel of passengers from Afghanistan, the Philippines, and Malaysia to India is prohibited with immediate effect. (Issued on 17-03-2020)
• Compulsory quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days for passengers coming from/transiting through UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait. (Issued on 16-03-2020)
• Travel of passengers from member countries of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey, and the United Kingdom to India is prohibited with effect from 18th March 2020. (Issued on 16-03-2020)
• All existing visas (except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, and project visas) stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure. (Issued on 11-03-2020)
• In addition to Visa restrictions already in place, passengers traveling from /having visited Italy or the Republic of Korea and desirous of entering India will need a certificate of having tested negative for COVID-19 from the designated laboratories authorized by the health authorities of these countries. This is in enforcement since 0000 hrs. of 10th March 2020 and is a temporary measure till cases of COVID-19 subside. (Issued on 11-03-2020)
• All incoming travelers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, the Republic of Korea, France, Spain, and Germany after 15th February 2020 shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure. (Issued on 11-03-2020)
• Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

In addition to the above advisory, passengers are requested to avoid non-essential travel abroad and strongly advised to refrain from traveling to China, Italy, Iran, the Republic of Korea, Japan, France, Spain, and Germany.

Domestic travel within India

Although the number of active COVID-19 infected cases looks quite low. But this can get bigger in a whip. As responsible citizens, we should always follow advice from the national and local public health authorities.

Even one unidentified COVID-19-infected person in a congested place can spread the infection to hundreds. We recommend that you follow the below advisory to be safe in addition to the above guidelines

• Avoid being in a congested place like railway stations, airports, metro railway, bus terminus, fair, public/tourist attraction points, shopping malls, etc.
• Do not travel anywhere now, handles, seats, and toilets of local transport may spread the virus. Even if your travel is preplanned and a lot of money can be wasted, we would still advise you not to travel.
• If you feel any of the symptoms we mentioned earlier, please visit the nearby health center to avoid spreading of virus further. Early detection can save your life.

Remember, Life is more important than money, don’t risk it.

Bhutan and Sikkim already imposed restrictions on entering their country by any means.

Effect of Coronavirus on Different Industries

No doubt COVID-19 is affecting most industries. Due to its infection and quick spreading capabilities, people are panicked to go to the office, factories, etc. Many countries are already facing a financial crisis and even expected to get bigger day by day until it stops. Sadly, many experts are indicating that a huge recession will happen soon. Although, seems like the medical sector is booming but within a few weeks it can also crash, mainly because of the high demand for masks, sanitizer, medicines, and other types of equipment. Read The Global Economic Impacts of COVID-19.

Myth Busters

Below mentioned myths about the CoronaVirus & COVID-19 are wrong.

1. COVID-19 virus can not be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
2. Cold weather and snow can kill the new coronavirus.
3. Taking a hot bath to prevent the new coronavirus disease
4. The new coronavirus can be transmitted through mosquito bites.
5. Hand dryers are effective in killing the new coronavirus
6. Ultraviolet disinfection lamp can kill the new coronavirus
7. Effectiveness of thermal scanners in detecting people infected with the new coronavirus
8. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body can kill the new coronavirus
9. Vaccines against pneumonia can protect you against the new coronavirus
10. Regularly rinsing your nose with saline may help prevent infection with the new coronavirus
11. Eating garlic will help prevent infection with the new coronavirus

Know more about these myths in detail here

Conclusion

While most of the business sector, including tourism, pledged to fight the epidemic by imposing restrictions, many tourists still do not want to reschedule, postpone, or cancel their vacations. This seems really childish. We are mature enough to be responsible citizens, and at the ground level, we should always be aware that COVID-19 should not get a chance to spread.

Anyways, every news channel, social media are continuously sharing information, please pay attention to that news. Although there are chances of getting fake news viral but use your sense and act accordingly.

Important Contacts and Apps

• The Helpline Email ID for Coronavirus: ncov2019@gov.in
• The Helpline Number for Coronavirus: +91-11-23978046
• Toll-Free No: 1075
• Arogya Setu App: Android & IOS

Important Link

• World Health Organization
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Center for Strategic and International Studies
• The Helpline Numbers of States & Union Territories for coronavirus

Follow Us

We are planning to post a weekly update on COVID-19, considering the fact that the news is constantly updating. Till then, subscribe tothe Rider Escaped Newsletter and connect with us on Social platforms to get future updates quicker.

Don’t forget to check out our Kolkata City Tour Guide.

Lastly, spread out the correct information & awareness to all friends, family, and everyone. Let us fight together.

Thanks! Have a great day ahead.

The post Stop Travel before you know about CoronaVirus & COVID-19 appeared first on Rider Escaped

Helmet is an integral part of a rider’s life. It not only protects you from falls but also showcases your personality. People who ride daily for commuting to workplaces even a few casual riders often neglect the priority of a good helmet. They either choose by its look or price. But there are several important factors like safety rating, shape, size, comfort, and many more what helps to decide the good or maybe the perfect helmet for you. Remember, helmets are equally as important as your motorcycle. It is meant to protect your most important organ, brain so don’t compromise. I would like to mention that a good helmet can save you but wearing a wrong helmet can be fatal. In these comprehensive and ultimate helmet buying guide, we will be discussing how to choose Good Motorcycle Helmet for you.

As a rider, I can’t ignore the fact that motorcycling is one of the most dangerous hobbies due to the unbalanced nature of two wheels. If you are wondering, how a good helmet can save you, I really insist you, read my personal experience, how helmet saved my life.

Different Shapes of Helmets

The shape of a good motorcycle helmet should always depend on your usage. There are different shapes available based on purpose and functionalities like Adventure, Racing/Street, Motocross, Modular, Half-face, and more.

Let’s briefly see the variations

1. Adventure Helmets – Often referred to Dual Sport helmet, mainly used for long rides, adventure trails. It provides good ventilation, a broad field of view, and better comfort.
2. Racing and Street Helmet – Broadly used in roads and racing tracks. It provides very good safety and best aerodynamics design but in initial days feels a little bit tight.
3. Motocross – Although it looks similar to Adventure helmets, these are more lightweight and can house a helmet goggles to enhance your off-road ride. Generally, don’t come with an integrated visor.
4. Modular – These helmets serve a dual purpose, a full face, and when you need you can flip-up the front to use as half face helmet.
5. Half Face – As the name suggests, these helmets are missing chin guard. Hence should be used while city rides only.
6. Kids Helmet – Almost all the above types of helmets are available for kids. They also deserve the highest safety possible.

Comfort, fit and size are important

This is one of the most important aspects of a good helmet followed by safety and shape. Most of the motorcycle riders tend to ignore a good helmet just because of these factors. In general, helmets are meant to be fit snug otherwise it won’t protect your head during an accident. You may get surprised to know that helmets also come in different sizes like clothes. Most of the manufacture produce M, L, XL while few good brands come in S, XXS, and much larger size also. You should check the below factors before buying a helmet and I always recommend to wear before you buy it. Don’t buy online until you are very sure about size, fit, and comfort.

1. Motorcycle Helmet should not very tight or loose. It should fit snug means while wearing if you shake your head, the helmet should not move independently.
2. Initially, a perfect sized helmet also feels tight because after a couple of days usage the inner padding gets loosen a bit.
3. Inner liners should be hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial, removable, and washable.

Note: Almost every good brand provides removable inner padding so that you can keep them clean maintaining the hygiene. I will be posting a detailed guide on how to clean and maintain a helmet properly in a while.

Helmet strap types

We often overlook the significance of helmet straps. There are two types of helmet straps available in the market. 

1. Push or clip type or quick release
2. D-ring

Although both serve the purpose, the later one prevents loosening or breaking in case of accidents. Over time generic push or clip type strap gets lose whereas D-ring with its simple mechanism continues to work longer. Also, using D-ring provides more tension adjustment (once you get used to) and considered to be the safest.

Helmet Visor plays an important role

Without discussing Helmet visor this how to choose a good motorcycle helmet guide will be incomplete. People do mistakes while choosing visor. There are two major variants, clear and tinted. While both have their own merits and demerits. Clear visor obviously provides clear vision during any condition but sometimes direct sunlight may cause irritation. Otherhand tinted visor is great for bright and sunny days. But at night it is impossible to see through. Although, very few brands have photochromatic visor which becomes tinted in bright sunlight.

Generally, the wise decision would be to go with dual visor helmets or use separate visors or use sunglasses with a clear visor. I personally like the first option, this way I don’t have to carry sunglasses or extra visor.

While you choose your visor type, I will like to introduce the Pinlock visor. Now, what is this? You may have noticed visor gets fogged up during winter and rain. Pinlock is a mechanism, provides scope to add an anti-fog insert. Few limited brands provide inbuilt anti-fog inserts attached with visor while most of the brands choose to sell as an additional accessory.

Note: Every reputed brand provides a polycarbonate visor so that it will come off in case of an accident rather than break into parts and damage your face or even eyes.

Ventilation does matter

The ventilation system in a good motorcycle helmet is a very important factor to keep you cool during the ride. Almost every helmet has an inlet in chin & forehead and outlet at the back & as breathe deflector (only a few breathe deflector works perfectly). The more ventilation inlet/outlet better. Inlet takes fresh air and the outlet exhales the hot air to remain you ventilated. 

Note: The ventilation system’s functionality is to remove hot air outside not to flow air like a fan. In winter you can keep these vents close.

Helmet Graphics reflect your personality

Helmet graphics do reflect your personality. Thankfully most of the brands provide stunning graphics to choose from. But from my personal experience, helmets with reflectors and colorful graphics help a lot during a night ride. It helps to spot you from a long distance. Although most of my helmets are matte black, only the last one has a fluorescent green lining.

Note: Don’t try to paint your helmet later because most of the paints react with a polycarbonate or fiberglass shell and reduce its impact resistance properties.

Certification is mandatory

Certification ensures the safety and durability of a helmet during a crash or impact. As it is directly related to your brain’s safety, never ignore it. There are different certifications for a helmet in different countries.

• India – ISI (Indian Standards Institute)
• United Nations of America – DOT (Department of Transportation)
• Europe – ECE 22.05 (Economic Commission for Europe)
• British Standard to enhance impact rating over ECE 22.05 – Sharp (Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme)
• Private Certification: SNELL

SNELL and Sharp are considered to be the best Helmet Certification of the world. Whereas DOT and ECE are also doing well but ISI certification really falls behind compared to others in terms of safety, hope ISI cope up this gap real fast. If you want to know more about certification, comment below, I will share a detailed post for you.

Choose the best certifications you can effort.

Brands play an important role

Choosing a good brand is an equally important factor in how to choose a good motorcycle helmet guide. In India, generic helmets of approx INR 200-1000 don’t even provide any protection. Although most of them carry ISI certifications, personally I doubt their authenticity. Few National brands like Studds, Steelbird, Vega, etc are quite famous for low range helmets with a bit upscaled quality and safety. These days budget-range brands look quite promising about their helmet lineup. Mid-range Brands like MT, AXOR, LS2, SMK, SOL, and high-range brands like HJC, bell, etc many are doing extremely well by providing adequate safety, style, and features in mid-range INR 4K to 7K and high-range INR 10K to 15K respectively. The high you go, the more you get with premium brands like AGV, Shoei, Bell, Schuberth, Arai, etc are top of the line, ensures world-class safety certification, best comfort, and more advanced feature.

Note: As of now, most of the international brands do not come with ISI certification but it should not matter until it protects you.

This article is not sponsered by any means, the brands I have showcased just because of my personal experience.

Price is not everything

Price is the most important factor while purchasing a helmet. Many compromise safety over price. But truly speaking, nothing can be more valuable than your head. Always consider as,

Helmet is an investment for your safety not an expense.

I am not saying that you must purchase the most expensive helmet. But buy the best you can effort and eventually upgrade to better when pocket permits. The basic sweet spot will be INR 4.5K to 7K.

P.S. – In the city and long rides never compromise the safety of your pillion, they also deserve the best safety even your child.

Conclusion

One of the most common reasons for not wearing a helmet is hair fall, it is true that due to compressed, sweaty, and hot surroundings, hairs are likely to get damaged especially in long rides. So always wear bandanas or a large handkerchief to safeguard. Your head is of more value than your hair or even money. Also please ensure that your kids wear a good helmet before start riding. If you are still wondering, how important a good motorcycle helmet is, I will really insist you, read my personal scariest experience, how helmet saved my life.

As a gist of this ultimate guide on how to choose a good motorcycle helmet, you can follow the below and choose the right helmet for you.

• For city rides: Any budget or mid-range reputed branded full-face or modular helmet with ISI, DOT, or ECE will do fine. Try to avoid a half-face helmet as your chin not remains protected.
• For long rides: If you are riding at highways, street or racing helmets from any mid or high range reputed brand will be the perfect fit. If you are likely to ride adventure trails and highway, Adventure or DualSport will be the best choice. Don’t compromise on reputed brands and certifications like ECE, DOT, etc. (better if snell certified).
• Track racing: If you are learning racing, then the top of the line, premium range racing helmets are compulsory as your speed will be very high and that momentum will impact exponentially during a crash.
• Off-road: Any mid or high range motocross helmet with good quality goggles should work fine.

Currently, I am using MT Thunder3 SV Storke Matt, HRO 512 DV-CYBORG along with basic Steelbird SBA. I will do a review of all the helmets soon. Also, comment to let us know which helmet you are using. You can also help your rider friends by sharing this How to Choose Good Motorcycle Helmet guide, I hope they will find it useful too.

You can visit the below link, to know more about my Rynox Urban Riding Jacket here.

For other riding gears review, click here.

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