Rider training program and facility? Check. Official helmet and uniform? Check. Safety protocols? Yup. Backriding shield? To that, Citimuber can finally answer in the affirmative. The beleaguered motorcycle taxi company says its shield complies with the safety standards set by the government.
Made of a strong yet flexible and lightweight material, Citimuber’s shield shares almost the same shape as the barrier designed by Angkas, which was approved for use in the motorcycle taxi pilot run by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Don Pangan of Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong says the material used for this shield is a bit stiffer than the one employed by Angkas. Instead of having flaps, the edges of the Citimuber shield are curved to reduce wind drag.
The Citimuber riders showed off their new shield in a bid to convince the Department of Transportation to allow them to participate in the experimental run that resumed last week. Currently, only three motorcycle taxi firms—Angkas, JoyRide and Move It—have been accredited by the government to participate. The Citimuber riders will join other cause-oriented groups in another protest ride on Sunday, December 6, in time for the celebration of Human Rights Week.
Do you think Citimuber’s backriding shield will soften the government’s stance ?