MMDA to establish Manila Motorcycle Riding Academy

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday said it will establish a Motorcycle Riding Academy in a bid to decrease motorcycle-related accidents.

"The Academy would provide riders with formal training on both theoretical and practical aspects of motorcycle riding," said MMDA acting chairman Atty. Don Artes in a statement.

A technical working group will be formed to formulate of a training course module that would be used in the riding academy, which is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2023.

The module, according to the MMDA, will give both beginners and experienced riders proper training and basic knowledge such as different types, characteristics, basic parts, basic control and operation of motorcycles.

It will also teach them the various road safety laws as well as rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of motorcycles; the necessary driving skills on how to avoid hazardous situations, and; understanding risk awareness and risk taking.

The Academy will also provide basic emergency response training for the motorcycle riders.

"Through this Motorcycle Riding Academy, we aim to further promote road safety, particularly to our motorcyclists who are very much at risk to road mishaps," Artes said.

"It's a good opportunity for them to refresh and hone their riding skills and to provide first aid to people who will encounter unexpected road accidents."

The training will be open to all interested participants for free and they will be given certificates upon completion of lectures, practical application, and Basic Emergency Response Course.

In 2018, the MMDA Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System (MMARAS) recorded motorcycle riders as amongst the highest road crash fatalities at around 38% or 224 fatalities from a total 590.
Fatalities increased from 2020 and 2021, recorded at 253 and 295, respectively.

According to the 2018 Global Status Report on Road Safety by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Philippines ranked 11th out of 175th countries with the reported number of road traffic deaths at 10,012 of which 4.7% are drivers/passengers of 2- or 3- wheelers.

The MMDA said the proposed location for the academy is at the vacant property of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) along Julia Vargas Avenue corner Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. —KBK, GMA Integrated News