Because of the new normal where a majority of travelers and commuters would choose and select riding bicycles, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) is looking at the option of persuading all bicycle owners with the registration of bicycles if they will be travelling using vehicles that are not motorized.
Spokesman of the CCTO, Ronnie Nadera, said that the registration of bicycles is actually a thing. As a matter of fact, this was an ordinance that has been passed almost two (2) decades ago.
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Registration of bicycles
As per the CCTO spokesman, the ordinance was anticipated but the city did not have the feeling that it needed the regulation of bicycles. Why? Because motorized vehicles actually remained as the main source and mode of transportation in the entire city.
However, because of the influx of bicycles as their mode of transportation, many people were seen using their bicycles. They could be going to work, doing leisure, and so on. This was what signaled the CCTO to implement the registration of bicycles to make sure that these bicycles, as well as the people who own it can be monitored.
Nagkadaghan ang bikes sa atong kadalanan. Sagol na sila sa mga dagkong sakyanan. For their safety, ato lang gyod iparegister ilang bike aron naa tay database sa mga nanagan nga bike sa syudad."
In Translation: There are a lot of bicycles on our roads. They're moving side-by-side with big cars and vehicles. For their safety, what we're looking at doing is to register these bikes so that they'll be part of the database of the vehicles in the city.
Simple and easy registration
In addition to that, Nadera said that the registration of these bicycles would be easy and seamless. As a matter of fact, both the biker and the bicycle should just be present at the CCTO office when the time they'll register it.
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The CCTO's office is located atop the Ramos Public Market (RMS). When they pay a visit, the information and the data of the bicycle and the biker must be given there.
Following that, a control number shall be released to the owner of the bicycle, as well as a sticker that would be placed in the most visible and obvious parts of it. This is to allow traffic enforcers and authorities to see the registration of the bicycles easily.
The entire registration of bicycles process would be P40.00; this would the only fee they'll get to ensure and guarantee the safety of both the bicycle and the owner.
What would these be useful for?
As per Nadera, the control number can be used for the tracking and the bookkeeping of the bicycle; it can be used for:
- Tracking when the bike gets lost or stolen;
- So that its data and its information can be stored; and
- For the purpose of it being registered
Apprehensions and penalties
Would there be penalties if the bicycle is seen without a registration? As per Nadera, only light apprehensions and penalties are going to be involved should they see and recognize unregistered bicycles. However, he instilled that the public should get theirs registered for their own safety and convenience.
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On the other end of the rope, in Davao City, Dionisio Abude, Head of the Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) said that the City Treasurer's Office, when bicycle owners register, the city would then recognize them as invalid and the bikes would be impounded if some owners fail to register it.
Though it should be remarked that bicycles that would be used for leisure and/or sports, or if it's business-related, it should be registered. The penalties would not be incurred heavily, but it should be followed.
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Even if they do not have a problem with unregistered bicycles now, the CCTO has urged the public to be safe and to be secure by getting their bicycles a registration. In addition to that, they should also wear protective gear and equipment such as elbow and knee pads, as well as helmets to avoid fatalities and critical conditions should they encounter accidents.
What do you think about the CCTO's plan of reinforcing registration of bicycles? Would bicycles and bikers have better days through the bike registration? Can they really be kept safe and secure if they register their bicycles?
Let's wait for the final implementation of this to see whether or not it is effective. This sounds good but further research is needed to be done and accomplished.
Source/s: SunStar PH | The Philippine Daily Inquirer
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