Motorcycle groups rally vs helmet policy
07/20/2007 | 06:23 PM
Several groups of motorcycle owners and riders held a protest rally Friday against the plan of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to enforce the “helmet plate stickers" policy that was passed recently by the Metro Mayors Council (MMC).
The policy requires all motorcycle owners and riders to wear helmets with stickers bearing their license plate numbers.
Led by the Motorcycle Philippines Federation, the motorcycle owners and riders groups blocked a portion of EDSA in front the MMDA central office in Guadalupe Nuevo in Makati City around 2 p.m.
In a four-page petition addressed to MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando, the Motorcycle Philippines Federation led by its director for operation Jojo Medina branded the MMDA’s resolution on the helmet policy passed last June 21 as “unfair."
“We believe this policy unfairly penalizes the over 350,000 law-abiding motorcyclists within Metro Manila," Medina said.
Medina said it is unfortunate that motorcycles are being used as tools by criminal elements in perpetrating crimes each year but “the helmet plate sticker’s policy is not the answer to the problem and it will not deter these crimes."
The motorcycle riders came in all kinds of model of motorcycles ranging from high-end big bikes to ordinary XRMs and clad with uniforms designed by various motorcycle clubs.
They put up a pit stop in front of the MMDA building where leaders handed out a copy of their petitions to general manager Robert Nacianceno.
Nacianceno turned over the petition to Fernando later.
Medina said his group supports the goals of the MMDA to improve the flow of traffic in various roads in Metro Manila and its campaign to address the rising criminalities involving motorcycle-riding criminal elements.
“But this helmet plate stickers will project us, riders, as criminals and will only create fear among the perceptions of incoming tourists that will greatly affect the tourism industry," Medina said.
The motorcycle riders also questioned MMDA’s motive in singling out the motorcycle owners and riders.
Medina said the unabated robbery, kidnapping, killings and other form of criminalities committed by motorcycle-riding men stemmed from the inaction of law enforcement agencies.
“Will they put their plate numbers on doors just like taxis?" Medina asked Fernando.
Medina said helmet manufacturers do not recommend painting and putting unauthorized adhesives into helmets because it will affect the helmets quality and the warranty it gives to buyers of helmets.
“Each time you change bikes, upgrade, downgrade or just plain selling, you have to include the helmet or scrape off the number on your helmet and paint in the new one, which compromises the durability of the helmet," Medina said.
For his part, Fernando said he will refer the matter to the Metro Mayors Council for review. - GMANews.TV
The policy requires all motorcycle owners and riders to wear helmets with stickers bearing their license plate numbers.
Led by the Motorcycle Philippines Federation, the motorcycle owners and riders groups blocked a portion of EDSA in front the MMDA central office in Guadalupe Nuevo in Makati City around 2 p.m.
In a four-page petition addressed to MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando, the Motorcycle Philippines Federation led by its director for operation Jojo Medina branded the MMDA’s resolution on the helmet policy passed last June 21 as “unfair."
“We believe this policy unfairly penalizes the over 350,000 law-abiding motorcyclists within Metro Manila," Medina said.
Medina said it is unfortunate that motorcycles are being used as tools by criminal elements in perpetrating crimes each year but “the helmet plate sticker’s policy is not the answer to the problem and it will not deter these crimes."
The motorcycle riders came in all kinds of model of motorcycles ranging from high-end big bikes to ordinary XRMs and clad with uniforms designed by various motorcycle clubs.
They put up a pit stop in front of the MMDA building where leaders handed out a copy of their petitions to general manager Robert Nacianceno.
Nacianceno turned over the petition to Fernando later.
Medina said his group supports the goals of the MMDA to improve the flow of traffic in various roads in Metro Manila and its campaign to address the rising criminalities involving motorcycle-riding criminal elements.
“But this helmet plate stickers will project us, riders, as criminals and will only create fear among the perceptions of incoming tourists that will greatly affect the tourism industry," Medina said.
The motorcycle riders also questioned MMDA’s motive in singling out the motorcycle owners and riders.
Medina said the unabated robbery, kidnapping, killings and other form of criminalities committed by motorcycle-riding men stemmed from the inaction of law enforcement agencies.
“Will they put their plate numbers on doors just like taxis?" Medina asked Fernando.
Medina said helmet manufacturers do not recommend painting and putting unauthorized adhesives into helmets because it will affect the helmets quality and the warranty it gives to buyers of helmets.
“Each time you change bikes, upgrade, downgrade or just plain selling, you have to include the helmet or scrape off the number on your helmet and paint in the new one, which compromises the durability of the helmet," Medina said.
For his part, Fernando said he will refer the matter to the Metro Mayors Council for review. - GMANews.TV
