Tricycles in the Fast Lane

The tricycle issue

Ask any motorcycle rider in the Philippines about their sources of frustration and grief while being on the road and tricycles will definitely be one of them.

What are tricycles

Tricycle is a common mode of public transport in the Philippines.  As the name implies, it has three wheels, two for the motorcycle that propels the whole thing and one for the sidecar attached.  Most are powered by two stroke engines due to its torque characteristics but there was a law passed that requires all motorcycle manufacturers to produce four strokes only.  I haven't read that law myself but the effect can be verified by simply observing the traffic in the Philippine roads.

Usual encounters

For the old two strokes, the power plant is usually 100cc and having said this, the tricycle is severely underpowered. It is therefore not surprising that a tricycle cruises at about 40kph.  You can imagine running at twice their cruising speed and then at a certain junction, a tricycle driver decided to join your lane, you can't help but feel bad about your helpless situation.  It could've been better if there's no traffic on the other lane which is not always the case.  I could cite more equally stressful situations but I won't because a familiar reader might get a heart attack.

Adding more power

Being underpowered is one of the problems of these tricycles.  Fortunately, manufacturers are now selling motorcycles with higher capacities like the Barako 175.  I personally saw tricycles that can cruise at about 80kph which is an acceptable highway speed.  Safety wise, I am not sure and I believe even the government don't have an answer for this.

The main problem

Another problem with the tricycle and much more potent than the lack of power is the attitude of its drivers.  I am finding it really hard to describe how these guys drive but one thing is sure, most of them drive dangerously because they are like drivers from hell.  They would turn without signaling first, accelerate and decelerate erratically, ride during the night without headlights, tail lights or both just to name a few.  If the government would be competent enough to conduct a study to find out the real root causes of accidents on the road, tricycles would be one of the top ten in the pareto.

The Quirino Grandstand Hostage Crisis

As a Filipino, I am very much ashamed with what happened. I am terribly sorry for the lives lost. It is traumatic for me and for sure for most Filipinos. We feel the pain of those who lost their loved ones. I know it is only a fraction of what you feel but please believe me when we say we feel the pain.

To the authorities, how many more lives to be taken before you shape-up? You should remove the "FINEST" word in those decals. It definitely doesn't fit. I am tempted to recommend that you put "WORST" instead but I won't because everybody deserves another chance. Sadly, those who died won't get any...

A sad day for Filipinos and for those who care around the world.

Plate Number Blues

Almost two months gone, close to 5k kilometers traveled and our Honda Bravo is still running without a plate number. I've dropped by the shop where we bought the unit several times and all I get were lame excuses and promises that are bound to broken with a 100 percent certainty. Frustration is an understatement.

And so I've decided starting this week to drop by the shop daily. I've just sent a text message to them reminding them of their obligation. Sadly, no reply yet.

I've also contacted the Honda forum moderator and informed him/her of our predicament. I did so because the store staff mentioned something about the clearance provided to them by the manufacturer, whatever it is, has expired. And so I sent the moderator an email to get their side of the story. Unfortunately, same as the vendor, no replies received yet and a follow-up would be necessary.

Are they conniving? I don't know. I just hope something is happening in the background and hopefully, our Bravo will get its well-deserved plate number before All Saints Day.