Motorcycles to Create Heavy Traffic This Friday (May 8)

MANILA, Philippines - On Friday, May 8, motorists can expect heavy morning traffic along EDSA from White Plains Avenue to Balintawak, Quezon City until the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) as thousands of motorcyclists gather for the Unity Ride for the Environment (URE). The convoy, which hopes to gather 10,000 motorcyclists to ride together and raise funds to purchase tree saplings that will be planted around Ambuklao Dam, is one of the most ambitious projects undertaken as a prelude for the 15th Annual Motorcycle Convention that will be held in Baguio City until May 10.

For the past 15 years, Filipino motorcycle enthusiasts have gathered together to participate in a national motorcycle convention under the auspices of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines (NFMCPI), which is an umbrella organization of motorcycle clubs from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. As the population of motorcyclists in the Philippines grew exponentially, new motorcycle clubs were also formed and majority of the riders from these clubs owned scooters, underbone commuters, and small displacement motorcycles, which formed their own federation, Motorcycle Philippines Federation (MCPF) and proceeded to hold their separate events and activities.

One Philippines

As a government official and as an avid motorcyclist, DOTC Assistant Secretary Berroya wanted not only to unite the motorcycle community affiliated with the NFMCPI and the MCPF and foster camaraderie among bike clubs but he also wanted to show the growing strength of the bikers so that government can direct some programs for the bikers’ benefit. To that end, Berroya, as current NFMCPI president, coordinated with the directors of MCPF, Jojo Medina and Atoy Sta. Cruz, to conduct the URE. Berroya envisioned a united motorcycling community and made “One Philippines” as the central theme for the 15th Bike Convention.

From 6:30AM on May 8 (Friday), participants of the Unity Ride will gather at White Plains Avenue near EDSA in Quezon City and will be flagged off at 10:00AM by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The riders will then traverse EDSA towards NLEX, which was declared open by the President herself, and proceed to Clark Field inside the former Clark Airbase in Pampanga, where a mini-program will be held to celebrate the Unity Ride for the Environment. Participating motorcyclists will then ride on to Baguio Convention Center in Baguio City for the convention proper. Last day of registration for the URE is today, May 6, at Station 2 along Sgt. Esquerra near Timog Avenue in Quezon City.

The Filipino Biker Earns Recognition

Recognizing the important role of motorcycles as a mode of transportation for millions of Filipinos, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Proclamation Order 1720 declaring May 4-10, 2009, as Philippine Motorcyclists Week. The proclamation also directed the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to coordinate the observance of Philippine Motorcyclists Week.

The 15th National Motorcycle Convention is sponsored by Castrol (BP Philippines), Motolite, Suzuki, Honda, Total/Elf, West Eagle, Stradcom, Access Plus, Imarflex, YRS Racing, Dan’s Bike Shop, Destiny Cargo, Sting Energy Drink, MotoSpray. Media partners include Gadgets Magazine, Motorcycle Magazine, Inside Racing, Scooterista, Mo2rista, The Philippine STAR, Clickthecity.com, Yehey.com, motorcyclephilippines.com, 103.5 Max FM, NU 107, Wave 89.1, and NBN Information Channel and Stoplight TV.