Pointless barriers

Despite the safety issues raised by several motorcycle groups, the motorcycle barriers are selling like hot cakes due to their being required by the authorities starting Aug.01.

The COVID-19 National Task Force, headed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, has even approved another design of the motorcycle barrier which can now be used by back-riding couples in addition to the earlier design of Governor Art Yap of Bohol which was approved early July.  The new design is made of hard plastic and plexiglass and is carried on the back of the driver much like a backpack.

The two approved designs are among the several proposals submitted to the NTF chaired by Sec. Lorenzana, and both complied with the minimum health standards set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID).

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said that both barriers will maintain the requirement for physical distancing in the transportation sector.

But in a recent statement made by the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers, they stated that motorcycle barrier required by the government for “back-riding” on motorcycles “may contribute negatively to safety, health, economy and environment.”

In a position paper that I read online, the PSME explained that the barrier will affect the aerodynamics of a motorcycle in motion. The Engineers say that “the barrier will contribute to the change of the designed allowable aerodynamic forces (drag and lift), which will compromise the stability of the motorcycle. This will place the safety of the riders at risk.”

The group also added that the barriers will increase the air resistance of a motorcycle in motion. “This directly affects the economy of the motorcycle resulting to increase in fuel consumption which contributes to the increase in emission and air pollutants which ultimately affects the environment,” it said.

Aside from compromising the safety of the riders, PSME also added that there is no guarantee that the barrier “will be effective in protecting both riders from the spread of air particles to each other.”

PSME explains that “with the barrier attached when the motorcycle is in motion, the front side of the barrier builds up pressure while creating turbulence and suction behind the barrier.”

PSME concludes that the barrier cannot serve as a health and safety measure to protect the riders from COVID-19.

But the Government, through the DILG Chief, still insists on requiring motorcycle riders to use these shields, banking on the barriers to prevent the spread of COVID-19 between MARRIED couples or LIVE-IN partners. Can you make any sense out of this?

Clearly the experts in the Government know that with no scrutineering body that will check on the quality of these barriers, they will be putting the riding couples at great risk.

Why would a married couple living in one house, buy a useless piece of equipment to make their motorcycle unstable, inefficient and dangerous?

Isn’t a mask and a helmet with a proper shield (lens) good enough?

With countless calls by the experts to stop the implementation of this unrefined plan, the Authorities are still adamant of its functionality.

Now I am beginning to wonder if this is really all about beating this virus or just another quest for pride.