websaytko.com - raredog’s chronicle

Me and Kevin spent a futuristic afternoon at the SM Science Discovery Center last Saturday, courtesy of the tickets I’ve won as a devil wannabee at the Buhay CokeBloggers Party last June 27 at the SM Mall of Asia.

Our eyes feast on its high-tech exhibits and display. We also enjoyed watching a short film on their awesome 360° cinema, and before leaving the place we managed to posed with the robots for some souvenir photos. (Too bad the photos kinda blurred, so Its much better not to post it here)

As a biker, I was easily attracted to their wheels display. But it wasn’t just ordinary!  It was the Segway (the two-wheeled personal transporter) and  the insane but awesome Monowheel. If only they have let us ride it. Yay!

The continued soaring of fuel prices not only affected large vehicles, now even owners of economical transportation like motorcycles/scooters starts to feel this adversity. And to add more headaches to the riders, LTO has issued their amended guidelines in the operations of motorcycles on roads and highways.

From which a lot of riders agrees that some of the rules are vague and somehow ridiculous (particularly the modification rule). I just don’t know if this guidelines are already approved or when will they implement it, but one thing for sure, this will be bad news for the riders, and good news for KC! (kotong cops)

LTO issues new guidelines for motorcycle riders
By: Jun Icban-Legaspi
THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued amended guidelines in the operations of motorcycles on roads and highways for the safety the public in general.

The official administrative order issued by Assistant Secretary and LTO Chief Alberto Suansing stressed that the license with restriction Code No. “1” shall be carried by the driver/rider of the motorcycle or scooter at all times.

Other guidelines recommended by the technical working committee headed by Engineer Joel Donato, chief of the LTO-Motor Vehicles Inspection Section said the driver shall anytime of the day; switch on the headlight of the motorcycle or scooter while it is being operated on the highway.

“’Yung automatic head on sa mga motorcycle at scooter world rules ito,” Suansing said.

Suansing said the driver should be apprehended if they would not wear any protective devices such as helmet, goggles, protective clothing, and leather boots, gloves and rain suits, heavy jackets, heavy pants.

“’Yung boots at ibang heavy devices sa mga big bikes applicable ’yun. Gusto kong ding sabihin na ’yung rules na sinasabi namin dito ay applicable rin doon sa kanilang mga back riders,” Suansing said.

For his part Donato said the LTO-MVIS is also discouraging the motorcycle owner to modify their motorcycle or scooter.

Donato added that in the interest of public safety the LTO has also increased the fines and penalties for those who would violate the rules and regulations.

Donato said those drivers and back riders who fail to wear prescribed helmet will be fined P1,500 plus attending seminar for traffic safety to be conducted by LTO.

For carrying more passenger other than the back rider or cargo, a penalty of P1,000.

For defective accessories such as headlight, tail light, signal light, brake light, side mirror and horn a fine of P1,000 for the violators.

For modifying any part of the original design of a motorcycle or scooter without approval of LTO and the DTI a fine of P2,000.

Lastly for wearing flip flop, sandals, or slippers fine of P500 for the first offense, P700 for the 2nd offense and P1,000 for the 3rd offense and revocation of driver’s license. 

Source: journal.com.ph

Some comments from the riders:

bakit hindi nalng nila ipagbawal ang pagmomotor?!

Gatasang baka ang tingin nila sa ating nagmo-motor

madami sanang maidudulot na maganda ang mga rules na ito kaya lang mukhang mas maraming butas na pagkakakitaan…

Bakit pa sila maglalabas ng Guidelines kung sila rin mismo ang di tutupad, ano yan nagpapagwapo lang.

Riders Issue Guidelines for Traffic Officers on Motorcycles

Motorcycle riders has issued their own Guidelines for traffic officers on motorcycles’ when conducting apprehensions.

1. said officers must be in proper riding gear (basically a DOT certified helmet, riding gloves, jacket and reflectorised vest)
2. said officers must be courteous and smiling when apprehending motorists
3. said officers motorcycle must not be modified in any way (daming ganyan)
4. said officer’s motorcycle/vehicle must bear proper license plates bearing the current year’s sticker (bawal yung plates na “police” “barangay” “TED” “Traffic”)
5. said officers ID, badge and name plate must be properly placed on his/her uniform
6. said officer should be able to identify every motorcycle brand and model currently in the market and should be able to identify a modified from a stock bike

any officers not complying to these guidelines after thorough inspection by the apprehended rider, will be ignored and given the dirty finger

Source: Motorcycle Philippines Forums

big bikes boots goggles guidelines helmets LTO motorcycles scooters

Im going to Pagsanjan today (to attend a seminar for 4 days) riding my old but sturdy scooter Geely. I usually ride with a group but this would be the first time Im gonna do a (long distance - approx. 100kms) solo ride. I will be traversing the scenic and curvaceous roads of Antipolo, Teresa, Morong, Baras, Tanay, and Pililla (all towns of Rizal province) before reaching Laguna towns of Mabitac, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban then finally Pagsanjan. Whew!

Its gonna be our (Geely and Me) longest ride ever. My mind is set on doing this ride around two weeks ago, then suddenly Typhoon Cosme shows up. Then I have no choice but to go to plan B. (via bus)

Woke up this morning, do some stretching outside and found out the cloud is somehow clear and the sun was shining on the horizon. “What a perfect day to ride” I say: Then it all goes back to plan A. I just hope there’s internet connection to the seminar venue so that I can update this post with photos and stories about my Pagsanjan adventure. Ok see you later. Wish me Luck!

Last Update 24 May 2008

I just came back from Pagsanjan yesterday. And boy it was one helluvah (solo) ride. It was fun and exciting. It took me almost 3 hours to get there, including the stopovers. I have no pressure whatsoever on the speed I want (Geely) to go. I can go fast, slow or stop whenever I please. I guess that’s one of the advantage when you go solo.

Good thing it doesn’t rain that hard the whole trip last Monday. It just drizzle when I’ve reached Caliraya until I have finally set my tires on Pagsanjan.

The return trip yesterday was much more faster. I spent around 2 hours on the road. Unfortunately Cosme(the typhoon) finally caught me and decided to gave me a shower on the zigzag roads of Teresa, Rizal where there’s no shelter to go under. I have under my seat a raincoat which I decided not to wear but instead placed it on top of my bag which has my seminar certificate inside (much more important hehe). So by the time I got home I was soaking bigtime, but nevertheless happy!

In my upcoming posts I would share about my seminar experience and the Pagsanjan Rapids. Watch out for it. A never before seen videos of the popular bangkeros and the story behind them.