Motorcycles in Al-Hasakah .. a source of income for some and nuisance for others

Motorcycles are spread widely in the city of Al-Hasakah, in northeast of Syria,  on which most of the people depend, as a source of income, plus, it is an important means of transport, as a large portion of the people use them in their movements. 

The wide spread of motorcycles considered cheap, compared to other means. Therefore, most people , of  low-income , students and workers , relies on.

Hassan Al-Omar, the owner of a motorcycle used for transporting the people within the city, told North Press: “I work on a motorcycle, which is my only source of income. I earn between 2,000 and 3,000 Syrian pounds, a day, which is equal to about 4 to 6 dollars.

Al-Omar, the bread winner, added that his work is influenced by the decisions of the competent authorities, in some cases, regarding the prevention of using motorcycles, in certain occasions.

“The problem of motorcycles will not be solved if there is no reduction in the prices of transport vehicles , and it is something normal for people to rely on motorcycles,” said the journalist Dara Abdo, to North Press, concerning positive and negative sides of motorcycles, and that a considerable portion of people count on them.

“Low-income people cannot depend on taxis, that cost from 500 to 600 Syrian pounds, when moving from one neighborhood to another. Therefore , there is an urgent need to use these motorcycles,” Abdo said, mentioning the prevention of using them by the local authorities, “ a normal thing”.

While motorcycles are a source of income for a large portion of people in Al Hasakah, it is also a source of fear and discomfort for others, especially girls and children. Brivan Khalil, a young woman, told North Press that she suffers from the annoying sousnds of motorcycles.