IN a bid to decrease motorcycle-related accidents, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will spearhead the establishment of a “motorcycle riding academy” in Metro Manila.

Under the project, the MMDA will create a technical working group (TWG) for the formulation of a motorcycle safety training course module that would give both beginners and experienced riders proper training and basic knowledge such as different types, characteristics, basic parts, basic control and operation of motorcycles; various road safety laws, rules and regulations on the operation of motorcycles; necessary driving skills on how to avoid hazardous situations, and; understanding risk awareness and risk-taking.

The academy will also provide basic emergency response training for motorcycle riders.

According to MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, the Motorcycle Riding Academy shall be the “center of education” that will provide motorcycle riders with necessary riding and basic emergency response skills.

“The Academy would provide riders with formal training on both theoretical and practical aspects of motorcycle riding,” Artes said.

“Through this Motorcycle Riding Academy, we aim to further promote road safety, particularly to our motorcyclists who are very much at risk [of] road mishaps. It’s a good opportunity for them to refresh and hone their riding skills and to provide first aid to people who will encounter unexpected road accidents,” he added.

Last 2018, the MMDA Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) recorded motorcycle riders as amongst the highest road crash fatalities at around 38% or 224 fatalities from a total of 590. Fatalities increased in 2020 and 2021, recorded at 253 and 295, respectively.

According to the 2018 Global Status Report on Road Safety by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Philippines ranked 11th out of 175th countries with the reported number of road traffic deaths at 10,012, of which 4.7% are drivers/passengers of 2- or 3- wheelers.

The training will be open to all interested participants for free, and they will be given certificates upon completion of lectures, practical application, and Basic Emergency Response Course.

Lectures include Motorcycle Riding Courtesy, Motorcycle Orientation, Road Traffic Rules and Regulations, and Motorcycle Safety Laws; while simulation exercises include Preparing to Ride, Common Riding Situations, MC Safety Driving Demonstration, and Motorcycle Basic Riding Course.

The proposed location is at the vacant property of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) along Julia Vargas Avenue corner Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. The MMDA and GSIS will enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the utilization of the property.

The MMDA will also collaborate with concerned Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders to promote the Motorcycle Riding Academy which is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2023.

The Motorcycle Riding Academy is the result of the agency’s Traffic Summit last year where, during the multi-stakeholder consultations, the need for capacity building for motorcycle road users to conduct road safety and traffic-related policies and basic life support training was highlighted.