These last few weeks have been quite interesting for riders of sub-400cc motorcycles. On July 5, MotoPinas.com published an article about an upcoming July 22 ban on small bikes along the stretch of Osmena Highway, from Sales Interchange in Pasay up to Magallanes Interchange in Makati and back.
Also on July 10, Skyway O&M Corporation (SOMCO) said the sub-400cc motorcycle ban was implemented "due to the alarming number of road crash incidents involving motorcycles below 400cc along the Sales-Magallanes segment... we [Skyway] will enforce DOTC Department Order No. 2007-38... only motorcycles with an engine displacement of at least 400 cubic centimeters (cc) shall be allowed to operate within the limited access facilities (expressways).”
Upon a chance interview with the Department of Transportation Secretary, Arthur Tugade, during the opening ceremonies of the C5 Southlink, MotoPinas.com asked if the department was aware of this new motorcycle ban and its possible effects on nearby roads.
“Titignan po natin yan (we'll look into that)," said the DOTr Secretary.
“Issue ho iyan ng MMDA (it is the MMDA's issue),” added the secretary. “Hindi ho ako nagpapasa ng problema, hindi po saklaw ng DOTr yan. Pero ipaparating ko sa kanila yun (I'm not passing the burden, it's just not under DOTr's jurisdiction. But I'll bring it to their attention.)”
"Rerepasuhin ko lang po. (I'll review the matter),” he said.
