Govt allows pillion riding on motorcycles for couples
Pillion riding (back riding) in motorcycles for couples, has been allowed by the government since yesterday, Malacanang said.
In a virtual press briefing, Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr
said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease allowed pillion riding for couples as long as there is a protective shield between the rider and the passenger.
“Back riding for couples is now allowed. But they should have a protective shield similar to Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap’s prototype design,” Roque said.
“The couple should also observe minimum public health standards such as wearing of face masks and helmets, and they should also observe the minimum speed limits to avoid accidents,” he added.
In Yap’s model, a barrier is placed between the rider and the passenger while a handle is placed on the side of the barrier.
The barrier should reach beyond the head of the passenger to assure his health and safety.
“Again, this back riding is only for couples and private individuals,” Roque said.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said couples should bring a document or other proof to show that the motorcycle driver and the rider live in the same house.
The government has imposed a “No back ride” policy in motorcycles since the start of the community quarantine in March due to health and safety reasons.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said he could not allow motorcycle back riding because strict physical distancing could not be observed.
Duterte said he understood the predicament of those who needed to use motorcycles in bringing their loved ones to their workplaces.
“The law is hard but it is the law. I could not do anything about it,” he said.