Motorcycle Asia Net. Bikes & biking in Asia

Philippine Tollways Battle for Motorcycle Access Continues
Two years ago the President of the Philippines was asked for help to end the ban on bikes under 400cc and introduce sensible standards like maybe a minimum engine size of 100cc or 120cc the President instructed the Secretary of the DOTC to make it his highest priority to bring the Philippines into line with international standards. For two years nothing was done. Recently the DOTC designated the tollways to be Limited Access Highways and the tollways once again introduced a total ban on motorcycles based on the questionable legality of DO1. More recently one of the DOTC staff and his motorcycle club requested the Secretary of the DOTC to allow his club and others entry to the tollways. The result was the DOTC introduced a copy of the sub400cc ban (already declared uncostitutional by the Makait regional trial court) putting the situation right back to point where it was two years ago when the President of the Philippines instructed him to bring the Philippines into line with international standards.

The full but maybe not entirely up to date history of the fight to save lives by ending the ban with all supporting legal documents etc is here. For a brief point by point history go here.

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Philippines Supreme Court Decision makes tollways ban illegal but tollways still defy the courts.
The recent decision of the Supreme Court voids Department of Public Works and Highways Department Order Nos. 74 (1993), 215 (1998), and 123 (2001) and the Toll Regulatory Board’s Revised Rules and Regulations on Limited Access Facilities (1997).

With this sweeping decision, the North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, and Manila-Cavite Coastal Toll Road are no longer classified as Limited Access Highways, paving the way for all motorcyclists to legally ply these roads as they are encouraged do in more developed countries to reduce congestion and pollution.

The tollways companies are still defying the Supreme Court by stopping riders and issuing penalty tickets for invented offences even though the LTO who is the authority on road use and penalties simply returns the rider's licences without penalty. The LTO says the tollways or TRB do not have the authority to invent vehicle groups and offences.

We are often asked for details on the history of the 7 years long battle to end the illegal ban so we have tried to put together as many of the previously published pages here. Main Freeways page and index.

Motorcycle Philippines Federation Mindoro Jamboree
This was a Jamboree with a difference. The first to include a RORO ferry as part of the ride. Due to the extra expense of the ferry and the fact that attending for one day was not very practical we did not expect a huge number of riders but the numbers were certainly big enough to cause quite a stir. The captain of the ferry I was on stared at the hundreds of bikes on deck saying "This is a once in a lifetime thing to see". I didn't tell him that if we go back next year it will be much bigger. Full story and lots of pictures here.

Almost 3,000 riders attend Jamboree
The Motorcycle Philippines Federation recently held its first event, the Summer Jamboree in Bicol. Attended by nearly three thousand riders from hundreds of clubs, numerous Congressmen, including Presidential son Mikey Arroyo, mayors and other government officials the event was a huge success. Over 1,000 riders wearing Motortrade sponsored t-shirts rode alongside nearly 2,000 riders in their club colors. The ride started as multiple groups left Manila early on the 6th of May to stay overnight in Daet. The next day 2,000 riders in a motorcade kilometers long rode on to meet 1,000 more riders on their way to Legaspi for the main event. Hundreds of members pictures and a story are here

Philippines Largest Motorcycle Groups Form Federation
Motorcycle Philippines, The PSF, MAP, The NRA, The MRC and a number of other groups have formed the Motorcycle Philippines Federation. Hundreds of clubs and organizations and tens of thousands members have signed up. Partners signing up include Honda Philippines, Motortrade, Kymco, The Bantay Turista Foundation, Patrolian Force 117 and the MDPPA More details here.

Do you think Bikes are dangerous?
Believe it or not, you are far less likely to be involved in an accident on a bike than riding a bus or a car and in the event of an accident. less likely to be killed. Myths and misconceptions create a lot of problems for riders. More info here.

A Ride in China
Riding a motorcycle in China is a unique experience. Less than 3% of the citizens of the relatively more affluent Shenzen area own cars. Most citizens ride bicycles and those with good jobs are fortunate enough to make the jump from bicycles to motorcycles. Four-stroke single-cylinder road motorcycles are very common in displacements ranging from about 90cc to 150cc. Scooters are also popular. Full story with pictures here.

The Bikes of Davao, Philippines
Davao is a great place for touring on a bike and they don't have ridiculous restrictions like Manila. A previous Mayor of Davao was a biker and it shows. The standard of driving is much better than Manila. There are still some unsurfaced roads here and there but the roads that are surfaced are excellent with no potholes. There are miles of beautiful country roads and even in the city the traffic density is bearable. Ever seen solo motorcycles used as taxis with up to six passengers. Pictures here

Is Riding in Asia Threatened?
The Toll regulatory Board in the Philippines being allowed to put themselves above the law and make up rules that threaten the lives of bikers is a dangerous precedent. Read this Freedom Fighter's article.

FRMC Luzon Tour
Earlier this year Freedom Riders MC members from Manila, Matabungkay and the USA chapters were joined by some friends to tour the island of Luzon in the Philippines. The group members and the bikes were as mixed as you could get. This a the long story written by all those who made the ride. See what each one of them said about the ride here.

Singapore to Phuket and Back
Carl Huckstep and friend Darren, ride from Singapore to Phuket and back. That's over 1,400km each way and they were determined to do it non-stop in at least one direction! Check out the full story here.