Road safety remains one of India's most pressing mobility challenges, with two-wheelers accounting for a significant share of road fatalities. Against this backdrop, Hero MotoCorp has concluded a three-month nationwide road safety campaign under its flagship CSR initiative, Save India.
To understand how India's largest two-wheeler manufacturer views safety - not just through technology, but through behaviour - I spoke with Vikram Kasbekar, Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer at Hero MotoCorp.
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Why A Safety Campaign In The Two-Wheeler Space?
Siddhartha Sharma:
We often see large safety awareness campaigns from four-wheeler OEMs, but not as much from two-wheeler manufacturers. What was the thinking behind Hero MotoCorp's Save India campaign?
Vikram Kasbekar:
Being the largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the world, promoting safety is part of our philosophy. We do not look at safety as a compliance activity. We see it as a purpose.
There are two aspects we focus on - engineering and behaviour. While engineering ensures the vehicle is safe, how people ride is equally important. That's why our engineering teams and CSR initiatives work very closely. Our safety programs have been running for nearly a decade, but this recent three-month campaign was far more focused and intensive.
From Rallies To Classrooms: What The Campaign Covered
Siddhartha Sharma:
This campaign reached students, gig workers, women riders, and local communities. What did it actually involve on the ground?
Vikram Kasbekar:
The campaign included multiple initiatives - night rallies for women riders, education programs and behavioural change interventions. The night rally for women was very well received.
Our belief is simple: enforcement alone does not work. If you can convince people, they become far more adaptable to change. Safety has to become a habit, supported by engineering and education.
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India's Road Fatality Numbers: What Worries Hero MotoCorp Most
Siddhartha Sharma:
India accounts for about 11% of global road fatalities, with over 1.77 lakh lives lost in 2024 alone. When you see these numbers, what stands out as the most urgent risk?
Vikram Kasbekar:
A two-wheeler is a single-track vehicle, and that itself presents a unique risk. We look at safety through five pillars - engineering, education, enforcement, emergency medical response, and access to first aid in time.
Among these, engineering and behaviour are especially critical. Enforcement alone is not enough. Convincing people and bringing about a sustained behavioural change is far more important. At the same time, our products go through extensive testing - in heat, dust, rain and other Indian conditions - to ensure safety in real-world usage.
Why Focus On Gig Workers, Women Riders, And Students?
Siddhartha Sharma:
Why did Hero specifically target groups like gig workers, women riders, and school students?
Vikram Kasbekar:
Gig workers are under constant pressure to make more deliveries, because more trips mean more earnings. We have already trained around 2,500 gig workers and aim to reach about 5,000. This is not about a one-time campaign or publicity - it's about patience, perseverance, and continuity.
Women riders are another important focus. As a company, we believe strongly in gender diversity. Two-wheelers offer independence and freedom, and today, women are riding not just scooters, but motorcycles as well. We want to encourage that safety.
With children, the idea is to catch them young. When students visit our factories, we show them how vehicles are built and also inculcate a culture of safety. Children influence their parents too, so the impact spreads within families.
Technology Vs Behaviour: What Saves More Lives?
Siddhartha Sharma:
We are seeing advanced safety tech in cars and now even in two-wheelers. But many users switch these systems off. How do you approach this for Indian riders?
Vikram Kasbekar:
One big learning for us is that functional safety should not be controlled by the machine, but by the person. The rider must remain in control - technology should alert, not override.
We want to democratise safety technology using economies of scale, so that it is affordable. Our data shows that about 65% of accidents are speed-related, and around 25% happen at night. So our focus areas include speed alerts, better visibility through reflectors, corner-bending lights, hazard warning systems, and improved braking.
Engineering Solutions Already On The Road
Siddhartha Sharma:
Can you give some real examples of safety technologies Hero has already introduced?
Vikram Kasbekar:
We were the first to introduce corner-bending lights in a scooter - not as a gimmick, but as a genuine safety feature. Forty percent of our vehicles already use hydraulic combined braking systems, which help riders who primarily rely on the rear brake.
We also focus heavily on ergonomics, handling, slalom testing, lighting systems and reach of controls. These elements together make a big difference in real-world safety.
The Road Ahead: Cameras, AI And Rider Monitoring
Siddhartha Sharma:
Do you see camera-based rider monitoring systems becoming mainstream soon?
Vikram Kasbekar:
These technologies already exist. For example, we've introduced ADAS features on the Zoom 160, which is entering production. Going forward, we want to make camera or lidar-based systems far more cost-effective.
We're also working with NGOs and using city camera feeds and traffic signal data to study driving behaviour. With machine learning and analytics, we can identify risky patterns and design both technological and educational interventions. The aim is to focus on the vital few issues that can deliver maximum impact.
One Message For Indian Riders
Siddhartha Sharma:
If you had one message for Indian riders that could save lives, what would it be?
Vikram Kasbekar:
Have patience, ride defensively, and follow the rules.
As India grapples with rising road fatalities, Hero MotoCorp's approach is clear - combine engineering, education, and behavioural change, and make safety accessible to everyone, not just premium buyers.