India is set to take a major step forward in two-wheeler safety. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways recently proposed a change to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. This proposal will require manufacturers to provide two BIS-certified helmets - one for the rider and one for the pillion - with every new two-wheeler sold in the country starting January 2026. The objective is to promote safer riding habits and reduce road fatalities, especially among pillion riders who often do not wear helmets. Dealerships will also need to deliver both helmets at the time of vehicle handover. For an industry that has long struggled with poor safety awareness and widespread use of fake helmets, this new regulation could bring about much-needed change. According to Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director of Steelbird, this rule could lead to a significant increase in helmet demand. Kapur mentioned that if every new two-wheeler comes with two helmets, the annual requirement could exceed 4 crore helmets. However, a challenge lies ahead as India's actual production capacity for genuine ISI-certified helmets is only around 3 crore units per year, leaving a substantial gap. The proposed rule aligns with the government's broader efforts to reduce road fatalities, with over 1.5 lakh deaths reported annually in India due to road accidents, a significant portion of which involve two-wheeler riders. Steelbird, one of India's largest helmet manufacturers, is already heavily investing in automation and plant expansion. The company plans to introduce 75 new helmet models over the next five years, catering to various segments from budget to premium. Despite these positive steps, the issue of fake helmets remains a concern. Approximately half of the helmets used on Indian roads are counterfeit, lacking safety standards and providing inadequate protection. Kapur emphasized the importance of strong enforcement to ensure that only genuine ISI-marked products are sold and that any law mandating two helmets per vehicle must have robust checks in place. Kapur believes that effective enforcement of this law will not only save more lives but also help eliminate counterfeit helmet suppliers from the market. Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India.

The National Highways Authority of India has tightened its policy against the misuse of FASTags, specifically targeting what are known as "loose FASTags" or "tag-in-hand" practices. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways confirmed the update in an official release, ANI reported. The new directive instructs toll collecting agencies and concessionaires to immediately report instances where FASTags are not affixed to a vehicle’s windscreen. This is a deliberate act by some users that disru

The iconic BSA nameplate is making a fresh splash, this time in the 350cc segment. The company has unveiled a new motorcycle called Bantam 350, which is heavily inspired by the 43 FJ sold in India since last year. The retro-modern motorcycle was showcased at the ongoing Bike Shed Moto Show in London. The Bantam 350 will be available in a choice of five colour options: Avalon Grey, Oxford Blue, Firecracker Red, Barrel Black, and Victor Yellow. Here's a quick look at this RE Hunter 350 rival, which may or might not be sold in India.

Delhi Traffic Police has come up with a new way to not only curb violations but also reward vigilant citizens. The department has relaunched the Traffic Prahari app, a platform that lets users report violations. With the app, users can easily report traffic violations they witness in real time. All they need to do is register on the app using their phone number and email ID. Once registered, they can upload photos or videos of traffic rule violations directly through the app. The best part? Peop

Luxury car buyers in India might have a reason to celebrate. India and the United Kingdom have officially signed a Free Trade Agreement that promises to bring down import duties on premium British cars - but only to a certain extent. This means that only select models and only in limited numbers, will qualify for the lower import tax. Here's why. India-UK FTA: Key details As part of the FTA, India will slash tariffs on automotive imports from the UK from the existing 100–110 per cent

The article is authored by Hitesh Garg, VP and India MD, NXP Semiconductors. India is at a crucial point in its journey toward autonomous mobility with a vision of obtaining full autonomy, which is still on the horizon, but the groundwork is being laid with ADAS becoming more prevalent in mid-range and premium vehicles. A recent report by McKinsey & Company estimates that by 2030, up to 20–30% of new cars sold in India could come with at least Level 2 autonomy, including features like

Source: YouTube In an extraordinary display of engineering creativity, a 26-year-old man from Kerala has built a full-sized Lamborghini replica not in a factory, but in his garage. Using scrap materials, old car parts, and sheer passion, Bibin, a quality assurance professional, spent three years crafting a stunning homemade supercar that mimics the Lamborghini Huracan. The custom-built vehicle, powered by a Maruti Alto engine, has gone viral after being featured on YouTube. With minimal resource

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has officially launched the CB125 Hornet, pricing it at Rs 1.12 lakh, ex-showroom. Unveiled just recently, this new offering now becomes the most premium bike in Honda’s 125cc lineup. Positioned above the Shine and SP125, the CB125 Hornet is set to challenge segment leaders like the TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R. Here’s what makes this new contender has to offer.