No Matter how much everyone fights, the truth of the matter is, India Will not change unless everything burns down to dust and rebuilds in a systematic way.. Unfortunately, we have to live with it.. Stay happy and dont spoil your mood with road buggers.. Try and follow traffic rules (If you know all of them). I have tried many times and finally given up. In a place where people wear seatbelts and helmets to (Improper helmets, and seatbelts without even buckling them) just to show the police mama that you are good to go, you cannot expect any traffic road discipline. We don't even have good roads in most places. The mindset/mentality of a typical indian is very impatient and lazy. Nothing's gonna change unless (Like i said) Everything burns down to dust and is rebuilt in a systematic way..

I agree with you. Moral values and ethics are imprinted when one grows up. With no one to look up to for these, the new generation follows what they see; they see their dads throwing safety out of the window everyday when he doesn't wear a helmet, they see their friends and family jump traffic lights, they see everyone bribing the officials and then they become a part of the society that has high disregard for rules and protocols. They become the "rebels" and resist everything good that one may try. These are the same ones who resist the helmet compulsory rules (citing pathetically useless excuses). These are the same kind who drive in the wrong way on a one way road.

Driving and riding in Pune, one wonders where was the city planning department when Pune was growing, where was the money spent when sub standard roads were built, where were the auditors when the built roads were being reviewed, where are the policy makers when they see a flyover taking years to build...and more such questions.

As for me, a fellow road user who drives and rides, I try to follow rules as much as I can and try to ensure that those I know do so too!

An update

So I actually met the guy who hit me and sparked all this. He admits he was riding carelessly, and that the accident happened partially because of the relative size of his bike (Bajaj Avenger). He readily admitted the whole thing was his fault. He ended up with road rash on his right forearm, and a fracture in his right shin or ankle somewhere (I didn't catch exactly where). I am glad he was honest, and respect him for that. I hope he will not give up riding, and that he will learn from his error.

His remark about the size of his bike highlights the importance of being able to properly manage your machine. Take the time to pay attention to how your bike handles and responds to inputs. Spend an afternoon just practicing various maneuvers, so you have a better feel for how your particular bike will handle with you on it under various circumstances. This is particularly important for anyone with a heavy, more powerful, and/or non-standard design of bike. For example, the Avenger and its twins the Eliminator and whatever the Yamaha one is all have longer wheelbases, with less steep forks. This means they'll corner and change direction more sluggishly than a standard or sporty bike. The weight is also carried differently, and the rider position is not as conducive to rapid changes of direction. The new KTM has a very steep steering angle, and will feel almost twitchy, especially at higher speeds. As more and more modern-design bikes filter into the Indian market, you won't be able to take handling for granted anymore. Newer bikes aren't going to necessarily have the same, predictable handling that a Splendour or Hunk would.

Regarding the size of the bike, and the need to understand bike handling, I still hope to be able to conduct some classes similar to those done by the US Motorcycle Safety Foundation. I have taken the course they offer, and find it to be invaluable for quickly developing and improving riding skill, and even many riders who have been riding for decades still take that course periodically to make sure they haven't developed any "bad habits". I think the availability of a course like this would be of great benefit to any rider who wishes to participate.

I have to ask, as this term has come up a couple of times: what is a "mango person"?

^^
In Hindi, the parallel for the phrase 'common man' is 'aam aadmi', which when transliterated into english, becomes 'mango man'.

Aam aadmi means common man. But the word 'aam' has two meanings, one is 'common' and the other is 'mango'. So lots of 'funny' people use the phrase 'mango man'!

I feel in addition to a riders feeling about the proper riding protocol, he / she is also vastly influenced by what majority of the riders are doing. You see one biker squeezing through two cars and the rest follow suit. Al this
for a mere 20 or 30 metre lead!

A few days back I gave an elderly gent a lift while returning from a aimless city ride and the First thing he said was that why am I wearing a helmet, there are no cops around at this hour. even when I told him that the helmet was for my safety and not for cops he remarked with a sigh "oh " as if I had some incurable disease.
This is the attitude with many of my friends, some of them end up giving philosophical arguments as to why they don't prefer a helmet even though I end up reminding even pleading with them. My own attitude has undergone a major change regarding riding gears and rules by observing fellow riders both experts and idiots.

I guess the best we can do for now is to educate and keep reminding everyone w can why we need a helmet atleast for that ride down the street.

This is the best we can do because as a two wheeler we have no fault in accident involved does not do any good if we are dead.

If you are dead/wounded its your fault not others because you paid the price. So drive with buffers to take care of others mistake/stupidity & everyone knows Indian roads are full of Idiot who wants to suicide in front of your bike.

Just save yourself, If everyone just drive sensibly to keep themselves safe. Road will be much more friendly.