City dad seeks to ban motorcycle canopy
Is it safe for the drivers to put up detachable motorbike roof?
The Cebu City Council committee on laws, ordinances and styling is now studying the ordinance prohibiting the use of detachable motorbike roof.
This was after Barug Team Rama councilor Pastor "Jun" Alcover Jr. sponsored the ordinance "banning motorcycle canopies and other similar accessories thereof, and prescribing penalties for violations thereof."
The council referred last Tuesday the proposed ordinance to the committee on laws, ordinances and styling in order to check if it is under the rule of law.
Alcover came up with this proposed measure after noticing that the usage of such accessory is now a trend in the city which poses road accidents.
The proposed ordinance aims to prevent any motorcycle accident that may happen due to the usage of detachable motorbike roof which is made up of a thin cloth.
"WHEREAS, the city wants to stress the notion that using motorcycle canopies against the illeffects of the weather condition at the expense of safety is never been promoted and tolerated by the city," the resolution read.
Alcover cited Section 16 of Republic Act 7610 otherwise known as the Local Government Code which provides all local government units has the right to enact laws for the general welfare of the public.
"It is prone to accident...Dali mapalid sa hangin. We received information that there are already many accidents that happened...it is not an original part of the motorcycle unit... it is an additional accessory not approved by the motorcycle producers," Alcover said.
However, as of press time, Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) has no record yet of road accidents caused by the detachable accessory.
In the proposed ordinance, those found violating will pay P500 on the first offense; P1,000 for second offense, while P2,000 and confiscation of detachable motorbike roof for the third offense.
Once this legislation will be approved by the city council, the Office of the Mayor through the CCTO is tasked to enforce the local legislation.
CCTO Operations Chief Francisco "Isko" Ouano said that banning it outright might not be beneficial to the those drivers using that accessory.
"In behalf sa CCTO, ang safety para sa motorists mao gyud na atong unahon. If makita nga peligro, mangita guro ta ug paagi aron dili na mamiligro. Dili lang siguro i-ban dayon nato kay gamit man sad gud na sa mga drivers," he told The FREEMAN.