STO. TOMAS CITY, Batangas (PIA) – The city government of Sto. Tomas in Batangas is eyeing to market as a “rider-friendly city” that is safe for visitors and motorcycle riders alike.
Sto. Tomas City Mayor Arth Jhun Marasigan revealed this strategy at the media launch of the National Riding Skills Competition on Jan. 25.
“We want to promote the City of Sto. Tomas a safe riding haven for motorists who visit the Padre Pio Shrine and the Maharlika Highway. That is why we want to remind them to be cautious when plying these areas, especially on a motorcycle,” he said.
Organized in partnership with Motorclyde Training Center, the National Riding Skills Competition aims to promote safe motorcycle riding.
Marasigan said he wanted to dispel the stigma against motorcycle riders by providing programs and off-road courses that would teach them proper road decorum.
This year, the city government has also started converting an old sanitary landfill into an eco-park where riders and enthusiasts can learn how to properly operate motor vehicles as well as promote safe motorcycle riding.
The city government acknowledges that the motorcycle industry is a huge part of the city’s economic development, as it hosts some of the country’s largest automotive manufacturing companies that provide employment and income for Sto. Tomas and its residents.
“Sto. Tomas hosts numerous motorcycle shops and manufacturers, which is why we believe that it’s our responsibility to show that our city is safe for motorcycle riders,” Marasigan said.
One of the key landmarks is the city is the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio which has become a popular destination and stopover for long-riding motorcycle riders.
Clyde Solano, one of the founders of Motorclyde Training Center said that part of their advocacy is to teach fellow riders and motorcycle enthusiasts how to properly ride motorcycles to ensure their safety on the road.
“We want to share our knowledge with motorcycle enthusiasts the importance of safety and the right knowledge in using and taking care of their motorcycles,” Solano added.
Among the measures to be implemented this year are setting the speed limit for vehicles on the Maharlika Highway which is considered an Asian Highway and putting up dedicated lanes especially for bicycles to prevent road accidents, involving two-wheeled vehicles. (PB,MDC/PIA-4A)
