An open plea to MMDA: Stop picking on motorcycle riders

Open plea to MMDA: Stop picking on motorcycle riders

In the Philippines, motorcycle riders often feel marginalized in government policy-making, with resulting regulations frequently leading to considerable inconvenience.

Take, for instance, PNP checkpoints: despite their stated goal of deterring crime, they consistently single out motorcycle riders. It begs the question, why are other vehicle types, such as cars or vans, often exempt from the same level of scrutiny, even though they too, can be used for illicit activities?

Then there’s the Motorcycle Lane (MC Lane), which the MMDA recently reintroduced, citing rider safety as its top priority, particularly along Commonwealth Avenue. However, daily users contend that this initiative has, paradoxically, created more issues. They report extended travel times—often 30 minutes or more during rush hours—and stress that the lane is severely inadequate for the sheer volume of motorcycles it’s meant to accommodate.

Riders find themselves with no alternative but to remain within the lane, essentially ‘caged,’ due to the fear of penalties enforced by the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), while big bikes (400cc and above) are treated differently and are free to use all the lanes allotted for private vehicles along Commonwealth Avenue.

One could spend all day discussing government policies that unfairly target motorcycle riders, because there are just too many. Veteran motorcyclist, Ricky Montecillo, having witnessed this bias firsthand for years, shares this frustration, hoping for a future where riders are treated fairly in a society that increasingly depends on their vital contributions, be it for transport, deliveries, or the daily commute of the working class.

Ricky’s open plea to the MMDA

“Hi Brando, I’d like to express my 2 cents regarding the MMDA’s decision to put Motocycle Lanes at the Commonwealth Ave. and [soon] EDSA. Hindi ko masyado nasundan ang mga basehan at explanation kung bakit nila ginagawa ito.

However, these are my thoughts:

1. The issue of traffic congestion is an issue of space. Since motorcycles, regardless of CC [displacement], occupy the least space on the road, then why are they being singled out?
2. Big SUVs and private cars occupy more space and usually carry only 1-2 persons, then logically they cause more traffic.
3. Mass transport, trains and busses which carry most passengers should be the priority [by the government].
4. Why does the MMDA always pick on the motorcycles? Is it because most riders belong to the poor and powerless?
5. Even during check points, mga small motorcycles ang laging target.
6. As for reckless driving, all motorists, whether driving private vehicles, SUVs with special plates, public buses and jeepneys and also motorcycles have their fair share of offenders. Di lahat ng kamote naka motor.

_{Ricky Montecillo and The Long Riders in one of their community outreach activities}

I urge the government, the MMDA, and the general public to change their attitude towards motorcycle riders. We are not the problem. So, please stop picking on the motorcycles. Most of them are already hard-pressed trying to earn a living. Salamat bro.”