It has been a while since we actually put something in here. More than a year ago in fact. Truth is, I have become so caught up in so many things that I have almost forgotten about this blog. I apologize to all the followers and truth be told, I wish I hadn't let go of it.
Anyway, a quick recap of what has been happening in the last year:
1. The RSA (Road Safety Act) as proposed originally by the Philippine Motoring Association has finally moved forward and we are seeing it's implementation in 2010.
2. Although the original AO was used for the motorcycle section of the act, we immediately pointed out that until the LTO creates a proper IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) for the new laws on motorcycles, it should remain in status quo.
3. The UP Law center is the one building the final draft for the act and we have successfully given our reaction paper and they have recognized our recommendations.
4. Besides the RSA, the DOTC has also put in two laws to help reduce accidents on the streets. The first one being the Automatic Headlights ON (AHO) and the Drink Driving law which addresses the number of drinking related mishaps on the roads today.
5. The railroading of the RFID who has met angry protests and skeptics deem it as another money making scheme by the LTO.
There are other minor projects taking place all over but all seems in check with the watchful eyes of vigilant riders on unscrupulous acts being perpetrated by our law enforcement.
And over the year 2009, we have sent over 50 letters of concern to the LTO, DOTC, PNP, LGU's for events that took place without the proper guidelines being followed.
Now comes 2010. We hoped for a good start but, early on, we were greeted with an article meant to degrade our already tarnished image.
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/wellness/wellness/view/20100105-245505/Motorcyle_morons
In the statement given by Gwendolyn So, the author of the said article, she branded motorcyclists as morons in general. Stating mishaps and close encounters with those behind the handlebars.
In truth, I don't blame her for being irked by these riders who bend the law to go around other people in the streets. In doing so, they catch others in surprise and disgust over their actions. This is something that we cannot deny and is a fact of everyday life.
However, as a journalist, she must practice responsible journalism. And the way she brought upon her article, she has broken two major rules of the journalists code of ethics:
V. I shall not let personal motives or interests influence me in the performance of my duties, nor shall I accept or offer any present, gift or other consideration of a nature that may cast doubt on my professional integrity.
VII. I shall not, in any manner, ridicule, cast aspersions on, or degrade any person by reason of sex, creed, religious belief, political conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.
(Credits to sk8er saix of MCP for this good find)
With that said, I believe that she has just made a very irresponsible piece of journalism. And I feel saddened and irritated at the same time that we were not given equal and fair judgment because of some riders who had a brush with her on the roads.
I understand and I admit to the growing number of irresponsible riders out there too. But I feel that the blame should not rely on them alone and all the riders for that matter. We should always look back at the source and the ideal solution to the problem.
The questions should be:
1. Who gave them their licenses?
2. Who keeps everybody on the road on check?
If we practiced the proper screening and testing of all riders, we could have filtered out some of them who do not fully understand the law.
If the enforcement does their jobs professionally and effectively, then all riders would be weary of their actions because they can loose their right to ply the roads at any given time they violate the rules of the land.
As for the author of the article, I have no other message to you except for something that another MCP forumer wrote and I quote:
The article, I surmised, was written at the height of the writer’s anger and frustration over what happened to her and her companions. What could have been a well-intentioned piece turned out to be a hateful bashing of all motorcycle riders. It should have been premised on pointing out the negative and eventually concluded on the subsequent lesson to be learned from the incident – moral and otherwise.
The writer should have focused on the two sides of the coin but obviously feeling so much aggrieved and “hurt” of what have happened, concentrated only on her own side. Common sense dictates that whenever one is to open a car door (whether on the left or right), one instinctively looks outside first to see if someone or anything would be hit by the opening door. Unfortunately, the writer did not even mention it, thus, figuratively – admitting an obvious fault on their part as well.
I could also somehow feel for that particular rider who opted to pass through the pavement “to avoid, possibly, a traffic-related scenario” (my assumption). It is a fact that because of its given footprint, a motorcycle could weld its way into spaces it could insert its way through. But I believe that this should only be done in extreme cases. In the absence of any life-threatening situation on his part, this particular rider is definitely at fault.
But the writer has no right to publicly brand all riders as morons. I beg to disagree.
Morons, in most cases, are learning-deficient. They could not perform simple tasks asked of them, however, mundane. If ever they do, repetition would be far-fetch. In more successful instances, they need to be scientifically trained to “master” any specific task Oftentimes, such tasks relate to being personally responsible for their basic needs like eating, drinking as well as personal hygiene.
I mean no harm to anyone with the above-quoted statements. I’m no expert psychiatrist, a trained psychologist nor a self-proclaimed specialist on the subject but having been exposed to people classified as morons, these are the primary descriptions one may have of morons.
Trying to learn to ride a motorcycle in five minutes? Uh oh, excuse me but this sounds too fantastic even for a very receptive learner. The writer tried to learn to ride a motorcycle and gave up after only five minutes. I don’t care enough for any reasons behind why she easily gave up but, look who’s talking?
In fairness to the writer, she has opened my eyes to the possibility of that specific incident they have encountered to occur (obviously because of some “equally-moronic” passengers). She has also shared, more or less, the infraction of that particular rider of passing through the pavement, which, upon analysis, also contributed to the occurrence of that unfortunate incident to happen to them.
I have learned two things reading this particular hate-laden article. One, I would not go anywhere near a car in filling stations lest I meet the article writer (pun intended) and give her a piece of my mind. But I guess this would not happen to me. I often line up my small scooter next to other motorcycles or scooters whenever I fill up and often end up chatting with my fellow rider/s. And also to avoid this usual lining up, I go to filling stations during lull hours (very early morning during weekends, sometimes lunchtime and even late nights) to fill up my nearly empty 5 liter tank. And every time I fill up, I also fill up an appropriate container that could hold at least 5 liters of my scooter’s precious life juice. This practice makes me visit the filling station only twice in a month, to satisfy my scooter’s usual fuel requirements. Second, I would try my best not to pass through pavements no matter what. If I’m not in any life-threatening situation, I would patiently wait. I would always adhere to only pass through appropriate pathways. One of my fervent wishes right now is for the government, both national and concerned LGUs, to provide a motorcycle lane for us – almost two million strong riders!
After reading and analyzing this article, I have resolved to be a more disciplined and responsible rider to avoid reading again another similar article in the future. I hate to admit that I was really pissed off with its message. Yup, we have the so-called freedom of speech but his one leaves a very very bad taste in the mouth. I am still pissed off until now but I’d like to believe that I’m writing this particular reaction, unlike the article writer, with a clear and objective mind.
(Credits to popstar of the MCP forums for this post)
So, if you do get a chance to read this, I hope that you do not forget that social profiling is not the answer to your woes on the road.
As for all the riders out there reading this blog, my message to you is:
Let us not be hypocrites. Some of what she said is true and the way were mobbing her shows that she is correct in some aspect.
You do not correct a wrong with another mistake. If you want to be heard and your opinion taken seriously by both sides, be civil.
Posting and replying with so much anger, hate and abrasiveness will only prove that bikers have the mob mentality.
Although the person spoke of riders in general, we know the truth in ourselves so why be affected? I know it hurts to be branded as something that you are not but, as a smarter and more civil human being, we should also know better.
What she did will only tarnish herself and her credibility by being biased and narrow minded against all riders. There are still civilized and disciplined riders out there and lets show her that she's wrong instead of enforcing her statements with our actions.
Just my two very worthless centavos...
To everybody reading this blog, feel free to post your opinion on the matter and please, try to make it as civil and as sensible as possible...
originally posted by click_me
http://bikerpinoy.blogspot.com/
please spread the word..
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