Thursday, January 03, 2008 Seares: Taming the motorbikers By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
THEY shouldn't be called motorcycles anymore. That 1896 word, along with motor-cyclette in 1898, was superseded by motor-bicycle or motorbike in 1903. Or so Oxford's "20th Century Words" says.
But in this country, they've always been called motorcycles. A New Year's Day bulletin from Jack Jakosalem talks about motorcycles and their drivers. No confusion there. Jack the councilor refers to two-wheel cycles with petrol engines.
Jack and Cebu City's traffic agency Citom mean motorcycle drivers many of whom ignore traffic rules, to whom traffic signs and signals and road markings mean little.
These drivers weave in an out of traffic knots, cross double lines, change lane or overtake without warning, meet you on your side of the road, turn right on red signal, make their engine roar: in sum, do almost everything motorists shouldn't---and get away with it.
Smaller, quicker
Why the daring and unconcern? Most tempting compulsion: their vehicle occupies little space and is easier to move out of traffic jams. A fragment of the four-wheel motor vehicle, the motorbike is much quicker to steer on congested streets.
Its size and speed must also be why police often ignore motorcyclists' violations. Even on head gear, motorcycle riders get around the rule. Look at what some of them pass off as helmets.
Citom hands are full with PUJ and taxicab drivers who play cat-and-mouse with traffic aides. Can they do any better with motorcycle drivers?
And hold-uppers and execution-style killers use the motorbike to strike and flee, another reason police must pay heed to violations of motorcycle riders.
