A WAKE UP CALL TO ALL RIDERS:

Introduction = It is noted that the efforts and intent of the government to help reduce accidents, crime and promote safer roads must applauded however, The design and implementation is somewhat immature. The need to do drastic changes may be warranted, but it must still comply to the provisions of the law to protect those who are affected by the problems and are responsible road users. This topic will discuss the issues surrounding riders and what is being forced on their shoulders for what has become, a regulation frenzy by the different LGU's and the MMDA. What is concerning is that certain provisions of the law are being ignored and worse, violated in the acts being pushed into effect.

What is safe for a motorcycle = Being able to maneuver safely to avoid obstacles, objects and road conditions when and where necessary in a manner that does not affect other vehicles.

Can a motorcycle sharing the road be safe = As long as each vehicle acknowledges the presence of the other, they can use the road in harmony. However, without discipline, the results can vary from risky to chaotic.

Is exclusive MC lanes safe = Only when the speed limits are observed and enforced while the riders are giving each other enough space to maneuver out of danger when it arises
Is non exclusive lanes safe = It is possible if all vehicles follow all the rules and strict enforcement is dealt amongst all road users then road sharing can exist and motorcycles can stay in their lane while sharing it with other vehicles.

What is the problem = Motorcyclists are not the only undisciplined road users out there. The private and most especially the public utility drivers are the same. If equal enforcement is instilled amongst all road users then discipline will carry through all the drivers and riders. Focusing discipline on just the riders will not solve the problem entirely. Instead, while you are creating a disciplined environment for riders, ignoring the drivers puts the riders in harms way. While motorcyclists conform to the rules and the restrictions, having undisciplined drivers that have full access to the blue lanes makes the riders moving targets. Moreover, the proliferation of more uneducated and reckless riders and drivers will continue to grow if the indiscriminate issuance of licenses do not change. So disciplining the riders and drivers will be a very slow process as the numbers continue to grow.

Root Cause Analysis = Allowing riders and drivers to go out on the streets without proper education and screening is like teaching your dog to drive. You will eventually lead him into a higher possibility of getting into an accident. The licensing agency must apply strict and comprehensive testing to all applicants to filter those who are not qualified to be on the road. This will allow the enforcement agency to a more effective enforcement of the rules for traffic and proper road usage as you keep the ratio of road users and enforcers compatible or not over bandwidth.

Supplementary = We have to acknowledge that there are literally thousands if not millions of riders that have no discipline, no respect and no consideration for other vehicles. And that is why the people, especially the non riders are against us and wont see reason or the justification for equality. That is the sad truth. However, it is the sworn duty of the government to be fair, equal and non partisan over any group or individual. But the immense swelling of the road users population has gone out of proportion to what the enforcement can handle. The question is, how do we solve this?

Conclusion = The existing laws must be strictly enforced amongst all road users and the licensing must undergo drastic changes. Only then can a long term solution be reached. There is no other way to prevent the growth of the road users and the corresponding accidents and crimes that happen while using a vehicle. Although the implementation of the, MC lane, mandatory vests or banning of back rides do partial work, it instills segregation, profiling, the passing of the burden of incompetency and discrimination because all other vehicles are now given less attention. The law must apply to all or non at all... And the ends does not justify the means.

Wake up my fellow riders... In order for us to gain the favor of the government, we must help ourselves instill discipline amongst our brethren... Lets do this starting with ourselves.

Then going out to fight for our rights will mean more to us and more effective to our cause...

Thank you!