Cycling through or around Quezon City? Remember to wear a helmet, or risk paying a steep fine for not doing so.
The Quezon City local government announced today that all cyclists traversing through the city are required to wear helmets after the approval of Ordinance No. SP-2942, which was filed by Councilors Maria Diorella Sotto, Kaye Galang-Coseteng, and Candy Medina.
A statement from City Hall said that while using helmets has long been mandatory under the Road Safety Ordinance, the councilors “saw the need for another policy to further encourage the helmets as protection, with more people now traveling by bicycles.”
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More Filipinos have taken up cycling to travel to different parts of the country, due to the partial suspension of public transport to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Now that cycling is part of the new normal, we want to make this activity safe for those who pass through our city. Wearing a helmet will help make our trips smoother and will ensure that we will safely arrive at our destinations,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said in English and Filipino.
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Cyclists caught without helmets will be fined PHP1,000 (US$20), PHP3,000 (US$62), and PHP5,000 (US$103) for the first, second, and third offenses.
Belmonte’s government recently implemented its Bike Lane Project, where existing bike lanes were repaired, and route signages and bike parking areas will be installed. The mayor said that she plans to create permanent bike lanes that will be connected with bus routes and pedestrian spaces.
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