DETACHABLE canopies on motorcycles in Cebu City are a common sight. Their safety is still, however, subject to debate among members of the Cebu City Council.
The council’s committee on laws, ordinances and styling is now studying the ordinance prohibiting the use of detachable motorbike roofs.
This was after Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. sponsored the ordinance “banning motorcycle canopies and other similar accessories thereof, and prescribing penalties for violations thereof.”
Alcover came up with this proposed measure after noticing the use of such accessory in the city, posing the possibility of causing road accidents.
“The city wants to stress the notion that using motorcycle canopies against the ill-effects of the weather at the expense of safety is never been promoted and tolerated by the city,” the embodying resolution said.
Alcover cited Section 16 of Republic Act 7610, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, which provides that all local government units has the right to enact laws for the general welfare of the public.
He argued that since the canopy is usually made of thin cloth, motorcycles using it could be prone to accidents because the canopy is easily swept by strong winds.
Alcover further said it is not an original part of the motorcycle unit and is not approved by motorcycle producers.
However, 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 violaters face a P2,000 fine 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 Ouano said banning it outright might not be beneficial to those drivers using that accessory.
1 comment
Nag binugo sad nang konsehal ninyo. Unta iyang gi ban ang duha kabook ligid na motorcycle pun an ug usa ka ligid para dili matuba ug walay disgrasya.