Over the years, innocent non-participants have lost their lives due to motorcycle endurance events taking place on public roads in the Philippines. These events, while very popular within a small segment of society, pose a significant risk to bystanders and other road users who are not part of these races. The BOSS Ironman Motorcycle Challenge (BMIC) in particular, has resulted in numerous injuries and even death of participants and non-participants alike.

According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there has been an alarming increase in motorcycle-related accidents over recent years. In 2019 alone, there were over 13,000 reported cases of injuries related to motorcycles - a figure that does not even account for unreported incidents or fatalities. We do not need to add to these figures anymore.

These endurance events serve no useful purpose. Aside from putting innocent people in harm's way, thousands of motorcycles on the road at the same time cause traffic and pollute the atmosphere. They also do not  significantly contribute to the local economies, as the riders, under time pressure, do not have the time to even just eat at local restaurants.

These events promote the wrong values by glorifying traffic violators. They also aggravate the societal divide by letting the "big bike" riders off the hook in spite of gross violations, while the lower income riders on small motorcycles are pounced on by authorities for the slightest infractions.

These events also harm the image of responsible motorcycle riders with the general public.

Lastly, these events have caused irreparable damage, and even destroyed lives. Several of those killed were breadwinners of low-income families who were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. The grief, suffering and trauma of their loved ones will stay with them forever.

Public roads should be safe spaces for all users - pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike. They are not designed nor intended as racing tracks where speed limits can be disregarded at will by those participating in endurance events.

By banning these  dangerous activities from public roads we can ensure that safety is prioritized over thrill-seeking behavior and profit. This is about protecting our fellow citizens, creating safer communities across our country and putting a stop the the promotion of negative values on road behavior.

We urge the all government agencies, particularly the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Land Transportion Office, the lawmakers, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take immediate action by banning motorcycle  and other motorized vehicle endurance events on public roads in the Philippines. These should be limited to roads that have been closed for the duration of the event, or on race tracks. We likewise urge all local government units to deny any applications for these events to pass through their localities.

The blood has to stop flowing. It has to stop now.

Please sign this petition today to support safer streets for everyone, and in the memory and honor of the people of have been injured or died as a result of these events.