Bike helmet policy deferred

The measure, which was supposed to be enforced last 15 October, has been pushed to 31 October to give riders a chance to comply with the helmet requirement

The Quezon City local government has extended by another two weeks the implementation of a city ordinance imposing fines on bicycle riders in the city who are not wearing a helmet.

The measure, which was supposed to be enforced last 15 October, has been pushed to 31 October to give riders a chance to comply with the helmet requirement.

Instead, city officials will prioritize the distribution of free helmets to riders.

Ordinance SP-2942 requires bicycle riders traversing the city to use a safety headgear.

A concerned citizen thanked city officials for the decision to extend the implementation of the ordinance.

In a comment on the Facebook page of the QC government, Antonio Castro said, “Thank you for your understanding, Not everyone was given a free helmet, and there are those who are not capable of buying one, especially those whose salary is just enough for their families.”

“The QC government suspends the imposition of fines for bikers without a helmet on 15 October. The QC Department of Public Order and Safety will continue distributing free helmets to our QCitizens. The imposing of fines will start on 31 October,” the QC government’s post explained.

The DPOS initially distributed 3,500 free safety helmets to bicycle riders.

Elmo San Diego, DPOS head, said his office again distributed 200 free helmets last Thursday. The distribution will continue for the next few days.

He said instead of imposing fines, the DPOS will only issue warnings and first conduct information dissemination.