Wearing Of Prescribed Helmets

My helmet with the required ICC sticker.

I was on my way to work when a motorcycle crossing the street stumbled.  The driver was able to get up quickly but his passenger had to be supported to stand up.  Only the driver was wearing a helmet.  The incident reminded me when a police officer issued me a violation ticket for having a passenger without helmet.  It served to me as a reminder, for as a responsible rider, we must also be concerned of the welfare of the people riding with us.  The trouble of paying violation penalty and getting my license in the Land Transportation Office (LTO) was nothing compared to the regret that I might suffer if something bad happen for my neglect... I was with my wife that time.

Now, with the Motorcycle Helmet Act (Republic Act No. 10054), mandating all motorcycle riders to wear the standard motorcycle helmet that complies with the specifications issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), riding would be a lot safer.  All riders, the driver and back riders or passengers, shall therefore wear helmets with the Philippine Standard (PS) mark or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker, otherwise they will be penalized accordingly when caught by authorities.

So, I was very glad when DTI representatives were requested and came to our company for the ICC stickers.  My old helmet was checked by their representative, and since it was still in good condition and its brand was in their list, an ICC sticker was given.  For that, I need not buy a new one.

Here are some of the DTI accepted brands: Voltz, AGV, Space Crown, VCAN, Tanked, Index, Ben-2, GPX, MRC, HPH, Ainon, KOR, KOR HF, Nexx, Xpot, Caberg, KBC, LS2, Nolan, Shoei, Zeus, Hongying Bio, Zebra, Carting, GDR, HNJ, Spyder, Bio/H, HJC, AM, Yamaha, LEV3, Sol, Exsol, Powercycle, Transcycle, Studds, Aray, Posh, Penguin, ST, SUN, Yema, AXA, Snell and KH.  Visit your local DTI office or their website for the complete and updated list.

I concur and abide with this law, standard protective gears are for our own good and safety.  Something that can prevent or at least minimize injuries during accidents and not merely a decorative riding outfit or just for compliance purposes in riding a motorcycle.  It can save our lives and those riding with us.  Drive safely everyone and may the Lord bless us in our travels.

One Of Those Unforgiving Days

As the saying goes, "when it rains... it pours".  Though it sucks, but yes, it's true... sometimes.

It was rainy this afternoon when I was going home from work.  Although it's bearable, I find it hard driving during these times since unlike a car, my helmet doesn't have something in it to wipe away the rain.  Then my luck begun... When I was half way  home, my rear tire was struck by a 4 inch nail.  After removing it, I brought my motorcycle to the nearest vulcanizing shop to have the hole patched.  However, they told me that the tire interior was badly damaged and needed to be replaced.  Whew, glad I had some extra cash with me that time.  And so, it was fixed.

Then my luck continued, after driving a few kilometers, my rear tire begun to swing.  I just said to my self, another flat, you gotta be kidding.  As I checked my rear tire, It wasn't struck by a 4 inch nail... now, it was a 2 inch (LOL).  It was already dark, still raining, and I had to drive more or less a kilometer with a flat tire, to another vulcanizing shop.  Then, guess what, my interior was again badly damaged and needed to be replaced.  The problem was, there were no longer open hardware shops to buy it.  My last resort was to go back to the first shop I had my motorcycle fixed.

Upon reaching the shop, the in-charge sadly told me that they already ran out of stock for my tire's size.  But she offered me, a second hand interior that can fit my tire.  Having no choice, I bought it.  However, the vulcanizer told me to change it the soonest I get a chance.  Second hand interiors aren't that reliable and it wasn't exactly the right fit to my tire, it barely fitted.  He might have seen that I looked worried, so he told me not to worry too much, that there's no problem with it, and his advise was just a precaution.

Well, I know things happen for a reason.    Maybe the Lord was just preventing me from a greater trouble ahead.  For whatever reasons there are, I'm just happy and thankful to Yahweh that I was able to come home safe and sound.

Who Let The Dogs Out!

It's a song co-written and originally recorded by Anslem Douglas and later performed by the Baha Men... anyway, this doesn't have anything to do with this post.  I just witnessed another motorcycle (MC) accident caused by a stray dog.  A motorcycle was behind me when suddenly I heard a crashing noise.  When I looked at my side mirror, I saw the MC along with it's driver lying on the road.  Luckily the dog wasn't hurt that much since it was able to run (most probably to its owner's house).  While the man was helped by the passengers of the van following him.  Looking at him, well, I think he'll also be just fine.

This wasn't the first time I've seen nor heard this type of accident... some weren't that lucky.  My co-worker needed to be on sick leave for a long time to let his bruises and fractured hand heal.  Also, I witnessed an unconscious man being carried by paramedics after hitting a dog in a fast lane.  The dog also wasn't that lucky, since it was crawling to the sidewalk, dragging both it's hind legs likely being badly hurt during the accident.  And these were only few of the incidents I heard and personally witnessed in road misfortunes involving stray dogs.

Not to mention... stray goats! :-)

So why dogs?  It is because they are the most commonly allowed to roam on the streets and could have been easily prevented if only their owners were responsible enough to keep them in the boundaries of their property.   Pet and animal owners not only of dogs but also of cats, chickens, cattle, horses and alike must be concerned of the safety of their animals and their surrounding community.  Likewise, owners must be held liable for the damages or accidents involving their pets, not to mention a case, in violation of the animal welfare for negligence, if there is such.

Here are some things a motorist can do to avoid animal accidents on road:

• Slow down and be anticipative of dogs and other animals' behavior when being spotted near the road.
• Blow your horn to get the animals attention and shoo them away.
• If, by chance, you came across residents of the nearby community, try asking them to tell the owners to please restrain or tie their dogs or animals and prevent them from being on the road.
• If no action was taken, report the situation to the nearest government dog pound or animal control for proper problem solution.

The highways and roads are for motorists and  pedestrians use.  It would be safer not only for the road users but also for animals if they will be kept away from the roads and be within the vicinity of it's owner's property.  Yahweh bless.

How To Check Flat Tires

It's a fact that one of the common problem encountered by motorists is flat tire(s).  Just when you need to be somewhere and on time... then poof, your motorcycle starts to wiggle and you need to stop.  Let me just share a couple of things I learned from experience in the road:

Look for foreign objects.  Usually, a flat tire is caused by any sharp object commonly by nails.  You may want to remove this using pliers or any tool that can clip and pull it from your tire, since it can badly damage the interior as you continue to run.

Tire interior also tear.  If you can't find anything, it is possible that there is a tear in your interior.  It usually happens when a tire lacks air and you constantly run in a rough road.  Or you bought an interior having a poor quality (substandard or old stock).

Loose valve stem core.  But before bringing your motorcycle to the vulcanizing shop for a patch, check first your valve stem and tighten it's core (if loose) by turning it clockwise.  But to complete this solution, you still need to have a valve stem tool to screw the valve core and a portable air pump to inflate your tire.


Water power.  You can check air leaks using water.  Pour some water directly at the valve stem, if bubbles are visible, then there is an air leak.   Observe where the bubbles come from.  If it is from the valve stem, you may have a loose or defective valve stem core.  But if it comes from the side of the valve stem, then you have a hole in your tire interior.

If bubbles come from where the green arrow is pointing, valve stem core problem.
But if at the red arrows, there's a hole in your interior rubber.

Motorcycles don't carry a spare tire.  So you need to look for the nearest vulcanizing shop when you have a flat tire (unless, of course you can fix it yourself).  Run slow and remove as much load as possible from your motorcycle to prevent more damage to your tire.  Upon reaching the shop, you may either ask the vulcanizer to patch the hole in your interior or replace it.  It is safer to replace it though, if circumstances permit.

Have a safe drive, everyone.  Yahweh bless.