Time to Remember, Time to Ride

The Shaman Supports MRO (Motorcycle Rights Organization), MAP (Motorcycle Advocates of the Philippines), H.E.L.M.E.T. (Help EncourageLawful Motorcycling Environment Together) and Time to Remember, Time to Ride Event on November 13, 2011. Excerpts from MRO Invitation from Motorcycle Philippines Federation as follows. Official Thread and discussion can be found here.

Final Ride Destination, Rules and Regulations and Agenda

WHAT: Time to Remember, Time to Ride
When: November 13, 2011
Where: Starting at SM Fairview (Group 1) to Macapagal Avenue (Group 2) and heading towards Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit, Cavite
Group 1 (Main): SM City Fairview Parking Lot (Back area)
Group 2 (Sub): Petron Macapagal avenue
Assembly Group 1: 5:00AM
Assembly Group 2: 6:00AM
Takeoff Group 1: 5:30 – 5:45 AM SHARP
Takeoff Group 2: 6:30 – 7:00 AM (Will gear up and roll out before group one reaches Taft)

General Purpose of the Ride:To remind every rider of their main purpose and their reason for riding, may it be a hobby, a passion, a way of life or one’s means to commute. We share the roads with not just fellow riders, but other vehicles and pedestrians as well. How we must maintain dicipline, safety and responsibility for our property and when we take on the roads with our motorcycles. How we must be prepared to accept and acknowledge the problems and do our part in helping out in fixing these problems. How we must embrace change and help instill it with every single rider out there.




Facing Reality:
With the rampant growth of the motorcycle population, the government is facing a very difficult and challenging issue. They have to maintain control and keep our roads safe for everybody who uses it. This is not an easy task and our cooperation is imparative to ensure that the measures being done are carried out properly and equally amongst all road users. We must understand that being on the road is not a right, but a privilege. However, we all have the right to achieve that privilege by proving ourselves worthy of the licenses we all carry with us.

Simply put, we have issues surrounding motorcyclists and we have to accept and acknowledge these issues first and foremost. Starting from ourselves, we must practice the proper behaviour and dicipline on the road and share that with our fellow riders as much as we can. Once we have done what we need to do within our own ranks, we then help the governement by being good examples on the road. This is your simple monkey see, monkey do scenario.

However, we are facing legislative issues where our rights are being taken for granted. We must remind the law makers and enforcers to respect and adhere to constitution and the rights granted to us as citizens of the country. We must help them get back to the right path and offer our knowledge and cooperation when necessary and maintain the status quo on the laws that govern all of us. We must report those who enforce and break the laws at the same time so that they can clean up their own ranks as we clean ours.

Official Position Statement:
With that said, we are here not to file protest or regress towards them but, we are here to remind them that we have rights and that we humbly ask them to enforce the existing laws instead of creating new ones. To ask them to follow the old procedures and apply the strict implementation of the existing laws and procedures befor and after we acquire our licenses. To let them know that we are here to offer our assistance and cooperation in getting everybody, private, public or government back on the right track. To help remind everybody to adhere to the Constitution and Bill of Rights that guide us all. To help in letting everybody know that we must work together and not against each other. To help remind every single road user to respect others to be respected. To remind everybody that we have rights as they have theirs.

So in the essence of unity and change, we call on every rider to be part of this era to help provide safer roads and equal treatment for all road users. To provide support and offer suggestions during consultation for projects aimed at safety and law and order. To unite the community and advocate dicipline, safety and equality for all road users. To show the world that not all riders are irresponsible, careless, undiciplined, criminals and a nuisance on the road. That we can share the road and respect all those who do the same.

And with that said and put aside, let us now start with the long road ahead by stating our opinions and suggestions for the government below. Everything will be compiled and be presented to them when we are given the oppurtunity to do so. Please keep your posts relevant and diplomatic. The use of profanity and jargon will not be tolerated. If there are questions to be asked, please keep the answers relevant and avoid side comments.


Route:
SM Fairview
Belfast Road
Mindanao Avenue (Neopolitan in Novaliches)
Commonwealth
QC Circle
East Avenue
EDSA (Left at GMA)
Quezon City
Mandaluyong City
Makati City
Pasay City
Macapagal Avenue (Merge with Group 2)
NAIA Road
Imelda Avenue
Ninoy Aquino Avenue
SM City Sucat
C5 Extension Road
Quirino Avenue
Molino Boulevard
Daang Hari
Open Canal
A Bonifacio
General Trias Dr.
Marseilla
Magdiwang Hwy
Tirona Hwy
General Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine




Rules and Regulations for Motorcycles:
1. Should be registered and all papers should be brought.
2. All lights (headlight, signal light brake light) should be working and in compliance with the law.
3. Should have a working muffler.
4. Should be free of leaks.
5. Should have a working horn.
6. Should have side mirrors.
7. Should have a side stand.
8. Road worthy tires, properly inflated and checked for possible nails and cracks.
9. Fuel must be filled prior to assembly.
10. Cooling system checked (Engine fan and water for liquid cooled bikes).
11. Brake systems should be checked.
12. Suspension should be checked.
13. Chain and drive belt should be checked.
14. Liquids should be checked (brake fluid, coolant, oil level, etc).
15. No blinkers and wang wang.
16. No flags, banners or posters depicting protest for anything.
17. Flag poles, antennaes should be secure.
18. No firearms, sharp blades or objects or deadly weapons.

Rules and Regulations Riders for Riders:
1. Should wear a MOTORCYCLE helmet with a strap and visor or eye protection when visors are not available.
2. Should wear closed shoes (No crocks, slipons, sandals, flipflops, etc.).
3. Long sleeves (jersey, jacket, poloshirt, long sleeve shirt, arm stockings, etc).
4. Should wear gloves for riding.
5. Long pants (jogging pants, slacks, jeans, riding pants, etc).
6. Must be licensed for Restriction 1.
7. Must NOT be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
8. Properly hydrated and moderately full.
9. No children below 9 years old allowed on this ride.
10. 1 backride only.
11. All backrides should comply with the rules stated above except for #6.

Although it is not a requirement of law to wear long sleeves and long pants, we STRONGLY encourage everybody to be on their best gear for rides. We have to show that we are responsible and dedicated enough to be prepared for riding. SAFETY and PROTECTION is one of the keys

Rules and Regulations for the Ride
1. Dicipline, Safety and Courtesy should be exercised at all times.
2. Stay on formation always.
3. No passing unless signaled to.
4. No speeding (maintain the speedlimit even when catching up with the group).
5. Follow and adhere to the ride pace.
6. No stopping on the middle of the road except for traffic and stop lights.
7. Watch for hand signals (Will be breifing everybody on the assembly and will provide pictures at the end of this post).
8. Maintain 2 bike lengths between bikes.
9. Do not honk your horn unnecsarily.
10. Allow other vehicles to cross between the formation smoothly and without sudden change of speed. Remember, we do not own the road.
11. Indicate potholes, humps, water, dirt, sand, rocks, debris, roadkill with your foot pointing to it.
12. When a hand signal is given, do the same to inform the others in the formation.
13. In case the formation gets split, do not panic or chase after the lead group. Maintain your pace and relax. Allow a ride marshal to go infront of your group to lead.
14. Never ride side by side. Always maintain a staggered formation unless signalled to go single file.
15. Red ribbons will be provided for on the day of the ride. Install the ribbon on your left side mirror without hindering the operation of your motorcycle.
16. Smile to the other road users .

Rules and Regulations for the Assembly and Landing Zones:
1. Do not leave your trash behind. ABSOLUTELY NO LITTERING!
2. Inspect your parking zone before parking.
3. Inspect your parking area before leaving.
4. Follow the Marshal’s instructions at all times.
5. No alcoholoic beverages or drugs in the assembly and landing zones.
6. Be at your best behaviour at all times. No rowdiness or un necessary noise during assembly and during the landing points.
7. Do not speak to media or enforcement anytime during the ride. Allow the organizer and officials of the ride to do this. This is to avoid miscommunication and misrepresentation that can ruin the purpose of the ride. Comments made by non officials will be considered as personal opinion and will not be considered as an official statement from the group. Your comments, suggestions and opinions will be collected below this thread and will be presented together with the organizer’s official position paper.
8. Please observe the margin of safety when taking pictures and video in these areas.
9. Do not be afraid to approach any of the officials and marshals if you need assitance or would like to ask something.
10. Please watch your belongings. The organizer will not be responsible for loss or damage to personal property.

Weather and Road Conditions

Inclement weather can be disruptive and discomforting. If the weather is too severe, take
shelter. Be extra cautious when rain first begins to fall. The road is slickest at that time. Avoid riding on the “glossy” (oil stained) area of the road at all times, but especially during or after a rain. Stones on the road are dangerous…be careful. Gravel behaves like ball bearings on a hard surface. Avoid potholes when you can safely do so. Potholes can damage bike rims and cause accidents. Signal others with your heel pointing down at road hazards.

Mechanical/Electrical Problems

Mechanical/electrical breakdowns can happen to any motorcycle. Someone will be designated to help, or have someone with a tool kit and cell phone stop to help the problem motorcycle outside of Metro Manila only. While within Metro Manila, you are responsible if you encounter bike problems that require you to stop. Other riders should continue the run.

Accidents

In the event of an accident, pull over with the group. Do not panic stop or rush to the scene. This may cause more problems. Do not move an injured person or remove their helmet. Do not allow a tow truck to take the downed bike. Locate a safe place to leave the motorcycle until a motorcycle hauler can pick it up.

Security and Parking

Participants in a ride may be required to watch motorcycles (if necessary) for a short time, in pairs. When parking, the leaders should direct the bikes to an area out of the traffic pattern. No one wants their bike side swiped or damaged by passing vehicles. Leaving a parking area should be done with caution, and consideration of others exiting… blockers may be needed to promote safe egress.

Law Enforcement

If the police or enforcers stop the group, the Spearhead should lead the group to a safe place. Riders should stay in formation (by or on their motorcycle). Allow the officer come to you. The Spearhead should be the only one who approaches the officer and should promptly identify him/herself.

Responsibility

A group, organization, or club is not responsible for accidents, injuries, thefts, etc. Each individual is responsible for any violation of the law. Riders ride at their own risk.
The group should meet before and during the ride regularly to pass along information. If you do not understand something, get clarification.

Experienced riders should get to know riders with whom they are riding. Encourage new riders to be cautious and to ride at the group pace…not unsafely or beyond their personal comfort level.

The group should ride to their destination in formation. If a motorcycle does not wish to stay with the group at the end or during the ride, wait until all bikes are parked before leaving the group.

If you leave your place in the group, re-enter at the rear, in front of the rear Ride Captains.

Riding in an unsafe manner with a group should not be tolerated. The safety of the group is everyone's responsibility. It is a rider’s obligation to report noncompliance of any group-riding rule to a Spearhead or Sweeper… a life may depend on it. Showoffs and hot rods should not ride in a group.

Know and ride by these rules, or do not ride with a group.

Safe riding is a group priority.

For Ride Marshals, Spearheads and Sweepers:
1. Refelctorized vests is mandatory. If you don’t have one, borrow or just ride with the group and let others do the duty of controlling the ride.
2. Use cellphone headsets for communication purposes. The important numbers to call will be provided for.
3. Install “Marshal” flags on your bikes. Make sure it is secure and will not hinder the opearation of your motorcycle.
4. Marshalls must be in the assembly area on or before 4:45AM (Group 1) and 5:45AM (Group 2) for the last pre-ride briefing.
5. No “lagare” style of controling the group. You must be in formation also.
6. Break away from formation only when necessary (traffic assistance, rider/bike problem, switching from marshal to temporary spearhead, etc.).
7. Taffic marshalls will be with the spearhead and will break off to allow the group to follow through an intersection or to warn other vehicles of the group.
8. Going back to your original position must be done with utmost respect to other vehicles and without overspeeding. Be a good example to others.
9. Do not block other traffic when un necessary. We do not own the road. Share it.
10. Assist the other vehicles trying to cross the line. Move in towards the vehicle who has the intention to cross the line and slowly guide the ride group to slow down and allow the other vehicle to cross. Then move into the temporary spearhead position and slowly allow the group to catch up with the lead group.
11. Group 2 will join in from the rear of group 1.
12. Assist in the launch and the egress points.
13. Assist in arranging parking properly.
14. Assist in cleaning up the area where we assemble.
15. Assist ride participants when you can and direct them to the ride officials when needed.
16. Be courteous and smile to all riders as well as other road users .

Marshal Groups:
Lead group: RFAC (Ride for a Cause)
Sub group 1: NOS (Nouvo Owners Society)
Sub group 2: Team MCP (Marilaque Club of the Philippines)
Sub group 3: RCP (Rouser Club of the Philippines)
- These groups were carefully selected and we would like to ask everybody to respect the marshals, spearheads and sweepers and follow their instruction. If you feel that they have gone beyond their capacity and would like to reprot it, please don’t hesitate to approach the ride officials listed below.

Secretariat:
LMV (Las Marias Viajeras)
- Please look for the pretty ladies of LMV and sign up on the waiver forms when you arrive at the assembly points and the petition document at the end of the ride.

Ride Organizers: 
MRO (Motorcycle Rights Organization)
MAP (Motorcycle Advocates of the Philippines)
H.E.L.M.E.T. (Help EncourageLawful Motorcycling Environment Together)

Ride Officials:
Jobert Bolanos (MRO/MAP)
Martin Misa (H.E.L.M.E.T.)
Ed Tortona (RFAC)
Speedmaniac (RFAC)
Pogikazz (RFAC)
Jiggy (MAP)

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