Helmets now a must for QC cyclists

The Quezon City government has issued an ordinance requiring bicycle riders to wear helmets when traversing the city's roads and streets.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte approved Ordinance No. SP-2942 recommending bikers to wear helmets as a fundamental safety gear.

“Ngayong bahagi na ng new normal ang pagbibisikleta, nais nating gawing mas ligtas ang aktibidad na ito para sa mga dumadaan sa ating lungsod,” Belmonte said in a statement.

The wearing of helmets is already mandatory under the Road Safety Ordinance, but the city council said it saw the need for another policy to further encourage the public, with more people now using bicycles.

The local government will be imposing fines of P1,000, P3,000 and P5,000 for the first, second and third offense respectively.

It recently implemented the Bike Lane Project, providing a safe place for bicycle riders during the community quarantine.

In a 24 Oras report by Emil Sumangil on Thursday however, cyclists were seen still not wearing protective gear along Quezon Avenue going to the Elliptical Road.

Some riders said they were not familiar with the ordinance.

"Marami kasing nagreklamo tungkol dito. Ako naman kasi, ayoko i-compromise ang safety ng taumbayan, hindi naman tayo papayag na hindi sila naka-helmet," Belmonte said.

Some cyclists said they have no means to purchase helmets.

"May trabaho nga po pero hindi naman po tuloy-tuloy, wala pa rin po, mahirap ang buhay. Kailangang pag-ipunan po muna bago makabili," said cyclist Glenn Peligro.

Construction workers Christopher and Richard also rent a bike for P50 per day to go to work.

"Mahirap lang kasi kami, wala kaming pambili ng helmet. Tsaka nagtatrabaho lang din kami," said Christopher. "Maglalakad na lang po kasi wala kaming helmet eh. 'Yung sinasahod kasi namin sakto lang sa amin," he added.

"Nahihirapan na nga po ang mga tao maniningil pa sila ng P5,000, saan po mapupunta 'yung P5,000?" said rider Aljon Oliver.

Helmets range from P500 up to P1,500 in some of the bike shops in Quezon City, with the cheapest price sometimes even running out of stock.

"For safety, hindi talaga advisable, mas [safe] po talaga 'yung mga branded kasi talagang maaasahan kasi iba rin ang quality ng mga branded," a seller said.

The city’s Department of Public Order and Safety is awaiting the implementing rules and regulations of the ordinance before apprehending violators.

The local governnent is set to distribute free helmets to poor residents.—Jamil Santos/LDF, GMA News