BAN ON MOTORCYCLE CANOPIES PUSHED

Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. believes that this kind of accessory, which has become a trend among motorcycle drivers, is a road hazard and jeopardizes public safety.

For someone who drives a motorcycle to work everyday, bad weather is Brian’s (who requested anonymity) worst nightmare.

But since the emergence of multicolored motorcycle canopies, which have now become a trend among motorcycle drivers, the rain and splatter are now the least of Brian’s concerns.

“It’s nice because I don’t get wet while driving anymore. I used to have rainwater sprayed on my face. When I pass along dusty roads, I get dust on my eyes,” he said in Cebuano.

The cost of the canopies ranges from P500 to P2,000.

But despite recognizing that motorcycle canopies provide motorists with comfort, especially with the changing weather, a Cebu City councilor believes that these accessories may pose serious road hazards and should be banned from the city’s streets.

Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. filed a proposed ordinance that seeks to prohibit the use of motorcycle canopies and other similar accessories in the city.

The measure defines motor canopies as any vehicle accessories that are detachable and used as an umbrella against the changing weather.

“The City Government wants to stress that using motorcycle canopies for protection against the ill-effects of bad weather condition at the expense of safety is never been promoted and tolerated,” Alcover said.

The councilor then invoked the general welfare clause of the Local Government Code.

Section 16 provides that local government units, within their respective territorial jurisdictions, shall promote the health and safe- ty of its people.

Penalty

Violators of the ordinance, if approved, will be fined P500 and P1,000 for their first and second offenses, respectively.

A penalty of P2,000 and confiscation of the motorcycle canopy will be imposed upon third time offenders.

For Brian, the threat of causing traffic hazards lies on the discipline that motorists practice while they are on the road.

“I think accidents are bound to happen to drivers who are rowdy and do not follow traffic rules. If you drive safely, regardless of having a canopy or not, you will not cause hazard,” he said.

The City Council referred Alcover’s proposed measure to the committee on laws for their review and recommendation. /