Law Requiring Bigger Motorcycle License Plates Receives Backlash from Motorcycle Riders

The People Power Monument in Quezon City set the backdrop for thousands of motorcycle riders to oppose the law requiring motorcycles to carry bigger license plates.

Despite the mounting pressure from the riders, Senator Richard Gordon reminded the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to stand firm in implementing the newly-enacted Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act or Republic 11235.

Gordon reiterated the importance of drafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the said law, and emphasized the importance of aligning it with its goal of protecting the public from crimes committed using motorcycles.

"The government is now taking action against riding-in-tandem crimes with the enactment of this law. We should not let this law die because of poor implementation; that is why the LTO should do the IRR properly," Gordon said in a statement.

Gordon, who authored and sponsored the said law, volunteered to help in drafting the IRR to make sure that "it reflects the genuine spirit of the law."

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said it will consult with riders when they draft Republic Act 11235's IRR.

Republic Act 11235

The "Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act" was officially signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last March 8. It requires motorcycles to be fitted with bigger license plates that are big enough to be readable from a distance of at least 15 meters.

It also mandates that all license plates be "color-coded" to identify the region where the motorcycle was registered.

However, riders and transport groups protested on making the license plates bigger, saying it could endanger riders and pedestrians as well.