| Kuro-kuro Ko Lamang |
by: Rtn.
Chuck Montecillo
Road safety has
been on my mind lately. (as you have noticed,
from my past articles) I recently borrowed my
friend's scooter, a Piaggio Hexagon. It's more
like a motorcycle due to its size, but definitely
a scooter due to its clutchless transmission.
I have been an avid motorcyclist since 1994.
Since my very first ride through the streets of
Monterey, California, absorbing the scenic beauty
of the Pacific coast, my interest in motorcycle
riding has steadily increased.
One of the things associated with motorcycle
riding is of course safety, or the lack of it, in
certain cases. Riding in the US is dangerous
enough. Freeway speeds and the distracting views
can very easily lead to disaster. The drivers,
whose senses are numbed from driving around in
metal boxes, aren't used to looking out for
two-wheeled motorists.
Here, in the Philippines, the situation is far
worse. The most important thing on a driver's
mind, here, is not to be passed (even if its only
a bumper length!). One would think that drivers
would be more used to motorcyclists since there
are so many around. From messengers to pizza
delivery, brigades of motorcycles regularly
travese the streets of this country.
Being on bike, a rider doen't have the safety
"shell" that surrounds a jeepney driver
or automobile driver. Bikers are vulnerable to
the elements (rain, heat dust smoke), including
bumpers and fenders of the vehicles that surround
him (or her). The only protection possible would
be whatever the rider wears.
Common sense dictates that drivers would have to
"look out" (or be more careful) when
close to these two-wheeled jockeys.
Unfortunately, the opposite happens. Instead,
jeepney drivers get insulted when a biker sneaks
past their fender. In retaliation, they inch
closer in an
effort to scare the rider and vent their
frustrastion at the same time. Then, there are
those who just don't distinguish between
motorcycles and cars. If they follow cars
closely, they do the same to motorcycles. When
the traffic is a a stand still, one of the
advantages of being on a bike is that you can
"lane share" and sneak in between cars,
weaving your way through. Some drivers just don't
like this and "squeeze" riders between
cars (or trucks, jeeps and walls).
Why do drivers do these things? Are they just
peeved that they have to sit still while a biker
can keep on moving? Do they feel that since they
are stuck, bikers should be too?
Since I ride (motorcycles), I have always been
sympathetic to bikers. I have also noticed how
others aren't. But since I borrowed my friend's
scooter, and experienced the intolerance of
drivers to motorcyclists firsthand, I have to
say......... It's scary out there! There is no
other feeling of a bus tailgating your 3250lb
borrowed scooter, while knowing the car in front
will stop short at any moment (will the bus stop
in time?). It just takes all the fun out of
riding.
Motorcycling is a way of life. For many, its a
source of income. It's a shame whenever a
motorcyclist is hurt due to no fault of his own.
We (bikers) get hurt enough on our own. It's a
risk that we take and accept, and we don't need
"caged" motorists to add to the risk.
So, my message for today is watch out for those
motorcyclists. Keep your distance when following
a bike and keep an eye on your mirrors, there may
just be a biker that you might've overlooked.
Drive safely.
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