Biking hazards

Foul emissions: In Pakistan, two-stroke motorbikes are commonly turned into rickshaws. Scientists, however, have pointed the finger at these vehicles, a ubiquitous sight in developing countries, for massively contributing to local air pollution. - AFP

SCIENTISTS last week pointed the finger at two-stroke scooters, a ubiquitous sight in developing countries, for massively contributing to local air pollution.

Running on a mix of oil and petrol, the scooter spews out between tens and thousands of times more fine particles and toxic gases, proportionate to the amount of fuel consumed, than even heavy trucks and buses, they said.