Why counter flowing is wrong!

I remember roughly seven years ago I started riding a motorcycle out of convenience and the low cost to operation that it offers.  Riding a bike gave me a different perspective compared to driving a car. I started to notice the things that you don't really notice when you are in a car, an experience that is unique to driving on two wheels. Nowadays, I have restricted myself to the more comfortable yet costly four wheelers. But, riding in the city has become more dangerous compared to the last seven years. The number of motorcycles in the city has, to say the least, quadrupled. Unfortunately, so have the riders who don't know a thing about "riding etiquette."

Let's face it, motorcyclists are getting bad rep from riders that do not know the proper manners of riding on the road.  Don't get me wrong though, I'm not singling out motorcycle riders, there are also a lot of  "cagers" (irate, irresponsible drivers of four wheeled vehicles) that are also ignorant of the road laws. But the sheer number of motorcycles easily outweighs the number of cars by pretty much that it became a focus of today's Mandaue law enforcement activities on the road. 

But who can blame them? I have spoken to a few randomly picked motorcyclists on my daily commute (also tried hanging around a motorcycle shop and striking up a conversation) and they actually do not know that most of what they are doing regularly are actually illegal under our road laws.  It's a classic case of, "Monkey see, Monkey do."

Now I know you guys will always say, "Ignorance of the law excuses no one.", "The law applies to all, otherwise none at all.", "LTO needs to be more strict in giving out licenses", and all that.  Well, those are things that are beyond me.  Let's focus more on the things that we can actually influence and control.  Let's do away with the victim mindset and instead ask what we can do about the situation.  Let me give you one example that is quickly gaining popularity due to the move by the Mandaue government strictly enforcing this. Let's start with counterflowing.

Counterflowing is illegal <period> "Why?"  Well, to name one reason, it is a safety issue.  I have seen and read too many accidents that are caused by counterflowing vehicles.  And yet some riders will argue that they counterflow to "save time", "avoid the heat", "avoid exhaust fumes", "it is hard following behind a car", etcetera. The victim's mindset would say "We do it because we don't have any other choice", "we can't afford a car", "all the lanes are being blocked by cars" etc.  Well, let's forget that mindset and chip away at the problems one by one. 

"Save time" – time is gold.  But if you value "gold" over the laws of the land then I suggest it's time to rethink your priorities.  Just leave earlier for your appointment or work.  You can always filter or lane split when the traffic stops to save time.  If you can't lane split because it is blocked by cars or a stopped jeepney… then wait it out.  In the end, if you get apprehended or get caught in an accident, then you've lost some gold.

"Avoid the heat", "Avoid exhaust fumes" – now this is part of motorcycling whether we like it or not.  One thing we can do about it is to invest in a good full face helmet with lightly tinted visors, cotton balaclava, mesh jacket and gloves.  Also wear long pants preferably the semi mesh type that motorcycle gear shops have on sale to counter the heat.  And closed shoes or if you prefer, motorcycle boots.  Contrary to popular belief that it's hot under a jacket, this will actually cool you when you are riding and serves as a protective layer between you and the sun's rays when you are stopped.  If you want some cost effective gear selections that won't break the bank search up "Gear Up Cebu" on Facebook.

"It is hard following behind a car" – Seriously guys, if you are having difficulty following a car in traffic you don't have any business on the road as you are endangering  everybody around you.  I would suggest to brush up on your riding skills first and enroll in a motorcycle skill clinic.  Search "Philippine Motorcycle Time Attack" in Facebook, they can help you out with that.

I hope you get what I'm trying to say here.  There is always a way to work within the law.  Saying you NEED to counterflow because you have "no choice" or "everybody is doing it anyway" is like a jeepney or taxi driver saying I NEED to cut you off because there's a passenger waiting or the infamous "trabaho lang" line.  It just doesn't work that way.

For me, the proper etiquette of riding is very simple, just avoid inconveniencing others for your own convenience.  The popular "cager versus rider" terminology is creating a rift between motorists just like racism does to the human race.  Instead of looking at "cagers" as the enemy, stop discriminating and just respect everybody on the road as motorists.  The same also goes out to the "cagers."

I know our local authorities have a ton of lapses when it comes to enforcing the law, but that is not reason enough why you should break them.  Remember, driving / riding is a privilege, NOT a right.  So don't forget that you as a rider can be the example and influence your peers and other riders on the road.  As they say, "change is coming." But let's not forget that "change starts with you."

[email protected].