Quezon City council OKs lower fines for bikers without helmets

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City council has approved a proposal to lower the fines for those who will violate the soon-to-be implemented ordinance prohibiting bikers from traveling without helmets.

The city council approved the recommendation of Mayor Joy Belmonte to lower the fines from P1,000, P3,000 and P5,000 to P300, P500 and P1,000 for the first, second and third offense, respectively.

“We express our deep gratitude to the city council for recognizing and addressing the citizens’ collective sentiment on the heavy fines being imposed on bicycle riders. The purpose of the ordinance is not to punish but to emphasize the safety of every rider,” she said yesterday in a mix of English and Filipino.

Belmonte earlier said the new policy will be implemented on Oct. 15 to give ample time for bikers to comply with the policy.

The city’s department of public order and safety has started disseminating information about the policy and distributing free helmets to bicycle riders who cannot afford to buy one.

“We do not want this policy to be an additional burden to our poor countrymen who chose to bike when going to their workplaces to reduce their expenses,” Belmonte said.