Why should we not be able to ride our relative or friends bike in Ladakh ? Why should we not have the freedom to choose the motorcycle tour operator we want to travel with ? Why should we be forced to take a motorcycle from somebody in case we want to travel in a particular region ?

 

A previously unknown body by the name of the All Ladakh Bike Rental Union (ALBRU) based in Leh issued a circular on September 1, 2013 that, effective from January 1, 2014, prevents motorcycles being plied in the Ladakh and Zanskar regions of the state of Jammu & Kashmir by people not having motorbikes registered on there name & non local tour operators from being used by travellers. If you dont have a motorcycle registered on there name have no other option but to take it from them, no matter what condition the bikes are in ? no matter whether they have it available or not ? whether they have the motorcycle on which the want to travel or not. Instead, it has been said in the circular that non local tour operators are to hire motorcycles from local tour operators from the time they enter the Ladakh or Zanskar regions. The circular goes on to say that the ALBRU is a “Government approved” body and that if it does not receive cooperation from any person or a non local motorcycle tour operator, stern action would be taken against them.

It is, thus, appealed to the Government of the State of Jammu & Kashmir to clarify whether the ALBRU is indeed an authorised body to pass this circular. Further, given that the circular mentions “stern action” against those who do not comply with it, it should be made clear by the State Government that there is nothing stopping the non local motorcycle tour operators from continuing their tours as they have been doing for years now and that in the interest of the travellers, adequate action is taken against the ALBRU if it hampers the conduct of these tours.

 We humbly request you to join us in this endeavour as a circular like this will only end up hampering tourism in the Ladakh and Zanskar regions at large, given how attractive these destinations are to tourists, both – domestic, and foreign and sign this petition. Moreover, considering that many tourists have already booked for motorcycle tours in 2014 to be conducted by operators affected by the circular, for which the season is between June and mid-October, adequate clarifications need to be issued keeping in mind that the comfortable and hassle-free nature of these tours is not compromised.

We are also trying to make an organisation named Motorbike Tour Operator Association which would protect the freedom & rights of bikers, incase anybody would like to join the association could email us on : mtoaindia@gmail.com & if you would like to support us in this cause then you could also support us financially by making a donation here :  https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/protect-freedom-for-all-riders-to-ride-in-ladakh.

We know the fight is not going to be easy but if we fight for the freedom as a united India then any fight could be won.

Regards,

MTOA