Where not only selling motorcycles, We also think road safety: Motorcycle Manufacturers

For local motorcycle manufacturers, breaching the one million unit sales mark in 2016 is good news. But non-riders think otherwise. Instead of raking praises for posting a 34% growth rate in sales, there were some bashers in social media who do not welcome the report of the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) on its 1,140,338 units sales performance last year. On top of that, the MDPPA predicts a 17% sales growth this year. 

Non-riders think that more motorcycles sold may mean more road accidents. With this premise, they’re pressing for a more aggressive road safety campaign from the motorcycle manufacturers.

“Hindi lang kami nagbebenta ng motor. We also think about road safety,” says Jacinto R. Cadugo, chairman of the MDPPA Road Safety Committee. According to Cadugo, the MDPPA has been actively involved in road safety awareness programs in the past years.

The MDPPA—composed of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kymco—has been in partnership with various motorcycle groups in promoting riding safety. Their campaign, Cadugo stressed, is not only concentrated in Metro Manila but nationwide, because motorcycle riding has become a necessity for many people.

“With the cooperation of (motorcycle) federations and clubs. We present to them some modules on how to be good road users,” Cadugo stressed.

Part of their long-term advocacy are the so-called ‘helmet stickers’ to remind the riders of the importance of wearing safety headgear. For each motorcycle sold by their dealers, a free helmet sticker is given to its owner for him to attach on his newly-bought unit.

Cadugo said they also regularly conduct road safety seminars for grade schoolers to guide them how to stay safe while crossing the streets. “We teach them how to react doon sa kalsada,” the MDPPA emphasized.

In teaming up with local government units in various provinces, the MDPPA frequently holds road safety festivals. Among the other agencies involved in its provincial tours are the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

In May this year, the country’s major motorcycle association will stage a big fun run event for riders to drum up road safety awareness. Of course, the participating riders need not wear helmets to this running activity.

The printing and handing out of MDPPA riding safety manuals during lectures will continue, he said. As far as the MDPPA is concerned, they want a wider coverage of their road safety advocacy.

Check out the group’s Facebook page and Twitter account and join the weekly pop quiz for netizens on road safety. Exciting prizes await the winners.