Wearing of helmets for cyclists passing through Quezon City is now strictly mandatory as the city council passed an ordinance imposing penalties against those who will not do so.
Although wearing helmets when biking is already required under the Road Safety Ordinance, the local government on Wednesday said the city council saw "the need for another policy to further encourage the helmets as protection, with more people now traveling by bicycles."
Through the passing of another measure (Ordinance No. SP-2942), cyclists caught not wearing helmets will be fined P1,000, P3,000, and P5,000 for their first, second, and third offense, respectively.
“Ngayong bahagi na ng new normal ang pagbibisikleta, nais nating gawing mas ligtas ang aktibidad na ito para sa mga dumadaan sa ating lungsod (Now that biking is part of the new normal, we want to make this activity safe for anyone passing through our city),” Mayor Joy Belmonte said, adding that "wearing helmets will help us reach our destinations safely."
The city’s Department of Public Order and Safety is assigned as the lead agency to strictly enforce the ordinance, the local government said.
Belmonte recently initiated the implementation of a Bike Lane Project, a short-term initiative that aims to provide a safe place for people who have shifted to biking as an alternative means of transportation amid the community quarantine.