No more bike-rides for lovers under Sitoy’s law

Board member from the 6th district Arleigh Sitoy (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Lovers may soon be prohibited by a local law from enjoying a joyride on a motorbike.

If Cebu Provincial Board (PB) Member Arleigh Sitoy’s proposed ordinance becomes a law, even male friends, officemates, second cousins and the like would also be disallowed from tandem riding on a motorcycle in Cebu’s towns, cities and major thoroughfares.

Sitoy’s proposal was meant to curb the so-called “riding in tandem” crimes where criminal elements use motorcycles for their speedy getaway.

Criminals using motorcycles are also difficult to identify as they take advantage of a national law which requires motorbike-riders to wear crash helmets.

The law will not be effective in Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City should it get enacted into law.

Sitoy’s measure follows a similar proposal that has received flak in Mandaluyong City.

Under his proposal, a motorcycle rider is only allowed to take a pillion-rider who is a “female, spouse or relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity (first cousin)”.

Also allowed are children between seven to 10 years of age.

“All others are declared prohibited in the Province of Cebu, particularly male back riders who are not within the fourth degree of consanguinity of the driver,” Sitoy said.

The proposed ordinance is expected to be submitted for first reading when the PB holds its regular session at the Capitol’s Legislative Building today.

The proposed ordinance will be applicable in other cities like Mandaue, Talisay, Naga, Bogo and Toledo where many residents rely on motorcycles for daily transportation.

Only emergency cases especially those requiring immediate medical attention, are exempt from the proposed ordinance.

While he acknowledged that motorcycles are an “effective, cost-efficient and easy means of transportation” for Cebuanos,

Sitoy said criminals frequently use it as a getaway vehicle due to its small size and maneuverability in outrunning police cars.

“Crimes involving motorcycle riding-in-tandem drastically rose and such incidents lead to injury or even death and majority of these malefactors deplorably evade arrest,” Sitoy said.

Jurisdiction

“The prevalence of these incidents committed by motorcycle riding criminals in all parts of the country, including Cebu, led to a growing public clamor to find appropriate measures in apprehending these lawless elements or to prevent these criminals from committing harm,” he added.

In Sitoy’s version of the ordinance, all motorcycle riders plying within the territorial jurisdiction of the province, regardless of whether the driver and the passenger has license or ownership of the vehicle are bound to follow the law.

Barangay and traffic officials will set up checkpoints and ask back riders for their ID cards.

The PB member said violators will be fined P1,000 for first offense, P2,000 on second offense and P3,000 on third offense.

A fourth violation results in a complaint to be filed against him or her in court aside from another fine worth P5,000, Sitoy said.