10,932 riders accosted for unauthorized back-riding

July 21, 2020

A total of 10, 932 motorcycle riders have been accosted across the country for unauthorized back-riding, the Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID Shield commander said on Tuesday.


Police Lt. General Guillermo Eleazar said the back-riders were not spouses or live-in partners but friends, relatives, neighbors and some were even commuters who were allowed to back-ride for a fee.


Eleazar said 9,649 of them were accosted for unauthorized back-riding with no installed barriers while 1,283 of the violators have barriers but their back-riders were not their spouses or partners.


Last July 10, the National Task Force against COVID-19 allowed back-riding for couples as long as they are living in one address and they will install motorcycle barriers.


 Eleazar added that 11,509 motorcycle riders were also accosted because they did not install barriers.


“All of the violators were warned and were advised to comply with the requirement on or before the July 26 deadline,” he said.


Eleazar warned motorcycle riders that they will be strict in implementing the rules on pillion riding by July 27.


“We ask the motorcycle riders to take advantage of the two-week grace period given to them to comply. They could adopt the Bohol prototype where the barrier is installed in the motorcycle or the Angkas design wherein the barrier is worn by the rider. The government has already provided the specifications and all they need is to comply,” Eleazar said.


“We understand the expanded requests to include family members but we assure the public that the NTF Against COVID Shield has taken note of their requests and this will surely be granted in the coming days especially once the community quarantine is lifted,” he added.


He asked motorcycle riders to follow the rules and include the barrier as part of their normal routine just like wearing a face mask which is part of the minimum health safety protocol.


Eleazar said  the speed of the approval to expand the rules for pillion riding to other family members depend on the compliance of  motorcycle riders to the two initial rules set by the NTF Against COVID-19.


Eleazar reminded them to strictly follow the two barrier designs to avoid accidents as several social media posts blamed the government’s requirements for barriers as the reason for accidents.


“These two approved designs, the Bohol prototype and the Angkas design, underwent a thorough study which includes the concept of aerodynamics and were also tested for quality safety standards. Before approving them, our NTF Against COVID-19 made sure that the barriers are not only effective to shield both the riders from coronavirus infection but also safe from road accidents,” he said.


Eleazar said that motorcycle accidents that are blamed on barriers could be a result of faulty installation or use of substandard materials.


Interior Secretary Eduardo Año explained that the installation of the barrier was intended as a first shield from infection between the riders. Ella Dionisio/DMS