Over 5,000 riders to join 'Unity Ride for the Environment'

MANILA, Philippines – At least 7,000 riders are expected to participate in the “Unity Ride for the Environment (URE),” a motorbike convoy from EDSA to Clark in Pampanga on May 8 as part of the effort to promote riding safety and discipline in the country.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa pledged full support of the PNP for the URE in a bid to instill discipline among motorcycle riders amid the increasing number of motorbike-related accidents in the country.

Verzosa, a motorbike enthusiast, has signified his intention to join the URE.

Senior Superintendent Edwin Butacan said the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (HPG) will man major intersections along the URE route to avoid disruption of traffic flow triggered by the long convoy of motorcycles.

Butacan said there is now close coordination among concerned agencies, including the PNP, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to ensure unhampered traffic flow as well as safeguard the motoring public on May 8.

He added that the HPG has been coordinating with the officials of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines under Transportation and Communication Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Berroya to oversee the Unity Ride that will start from the People Power Monument along EDSA, Quezon City to Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga.

From Clark, the participants will proceed to Baguio City for the 15th National Motorcycle Convention.

Aside from promoting awareness of riding safety and discipline, Bobby Farinas, URE chairman, said the Unity Ride – dubbed as “One Philippines” – is aiming at a new Guinness World Record of the longest convoy of motorcycles, with the number of participants expected to surpass the 5,000 mark.

President Arroyo, who was invited to flag off the participants of the URE, has issued Proclamation Order 1702 declaring May 4 to 10, 2009 as “Philippine Motorcyclists’ Week.”

Citing data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in 2008, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Arturo Lomibao said the number of registered motorcycles in the country has reached the two-million mark and is expected to double two years from now.

Berroya said small motorbikes (with engine displacement between 100cc to 400cc) will be allowed to use the NLEX and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) during the URE event provided their riders will be marshalled by police and expressway patrol personnel.

Aside from the traffic issue, police and other traffic units are coordinating with the URE organizers to avoid motorcycle-related accidents during the event.

Invited to join the URE are bike enthusiasts, including Senators Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.