MMDA to set up FREE riding school, operational within Q1 of 2023

Safety riding school to be set up by the MMDA

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is serious when they said that they want to make NCR roads safer for motorists. MMDA acting chairman, Atty. Don Artes, announced that the agency will establish a Motorcycle Riding Academy in Metro Manila in a bid to decrease motorcycle-related accidents and make roads safer.

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

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 pertaining to the operation of motorcycles; necessary driving skills on how to avoid hazardous situations, and; understanding risk awareness and risk-taking.

Basic emergency response training included

The MMDA has recognized that motorcycle riders, especially those in the delivery services, spend a lot of time on the road. Because of this, the upcoming Motorcycle Safety Training Course by the agency will also include basic emergency response training for motorcycle riders, which could help the MMDA in responding to road accidents, in a way, acting as force multipliers.

“Through this Motorcycle Riding Academy, we aim to further promote road safety, particularly to our motorcyclists who are very much at risk to 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,” added Artes.

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 for the utilization of the property.

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

The agency is also in talks with motorcycle ride-hailing groups such as Grab that riders who completed the course in the Academy will be given priority in their employment.

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.

_{*Main photo taken during BMW Motorrad Philippines' Safety Riding Clinic in Carmona Racing Circuit, Carmona Cavite}