3,000 motorcycle riders in Isabela join nationwide protest vs double-plate law

CABAGAN, Isabela – At least 3,000 motorcycle riders in this town and Santiago City joined a protest caravan on Sunday to denounce Republic Act 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, which required double and bigger plates for motorcycles.

The riders described the law as “too unsafe, burdensome and an added expense.”

Romeo Berdan, president of Spartanz Riders Club and Regional Riders’ Federation, said motorcycles had been designed to have a single plate each and that the additional plate would incur other expenses for cash-strapped cycle owners.

Berdan said they initiated a signature drive to raise their concerns even before the law was passed but these were not considered.

“Before the issuance of the implementing rules and regulations of the law, we hope that our concerns shall be addressed,” Berdan added.

The law stipulates that the new plates should be big enough to be read from a distance of at least 15 meters.

Aside from the alleged danger of using bigger double plates, the protesters said motorcycle riders are always being unfairly tagged as behind the crimes happening in the country.