MMDA Riding Academy now open, requires barangay clearance

Gov’t-sponsored riding academy now accepts trainees

Earlier this year, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that they would open a riding academy to train motorcycle riders and become safe and responsible road users.

The MMDA Motorcycle Riding Academy is now open and is accepting trainees.

Located at the vacant property of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) along Julia Vargas Avenue, corner Meralco Avenue in Pasig City, the Motorcycle Riding Academy will hold FREE training for interested individuals aged 17 years and above. The academy will accommodate 100 participants per batch.

MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes said he believes that the MRA will address motorcycle riders, whom he believes to have a lack of traffic education and change their mindset whenever they are on the road.

“I don’t believe that motorcycle riders naturally lack road discipline, but just need education on proper road use, traffic rules and regulations, and proper driving skills. That’s our wish in establishing the Motorcycle Riding Academy – to give proper knowledge to motorcycle riders and to change their [undisciplined] mindset,” said Artes.

Requirements

To enroll, participants must register online through this link. Documentary requirements for the participants include photocopies of Driver's License or Student's Permit (if available, but not necessarily a requirement); Certificate of Employment (if employed); medical certificate/health declaration, and; a waiver. Additionally (yes, we too find it weird and has no connection with the participant's desire to learn proper motorcycle riding), MMDA requires enrollees to secure a barangay clearance as part of the documentary requirements.

A motorcycle safety course waiver form must be signed by both the student and his/her parents if the applicant is 17 years old.

Participants must be able to balance and ride a bicycle. They must also provide their own standard full-face helmet, full-finger motorcycle gloves, and rain gear. A reflective safety vest is optional. Motorcycles will be provided by the Academy.

The two-day course includes Basic Road Emergency Response; Road Traffic Rules and Regulations; Motorcycle Orientation on basic parts; control and operation of motorcycles; demonstration of static position and moving position, and; Motorcycle Skills Practice and Demonstration.

Those who will complete the Basic Motorcycle Rider Course and pass the Motorcycle Riding Skills Test will be given a Certificate of Completion and a badge.