If you may recall, there once was a great debate within the motorcycle community regarding the footwear requirement for back riders.

This was after a motorcycle rider was apprehended by a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) enforcer because his passenger (back rider) was wearing slippers.

A champion emerged to represent the two opposing sides:

• MMDA traffic chief Bong Nebrija, for those who agree that closed shoes are required for both riders and passengers
• Motorcycle safety advocate and now 1-Rider Partylist Representative Bonifacio Bosita, for those who argue that the footwear rule applies only to riders

Section XI-E of Land Transportation Office (LTO) Administrative Order AHS 2008-15 states: “For wearing of flip flops, sandals or slippers or being bare footed while operating motorcycle or scooter on a road or highway, a fine of ₱500 for the first offense, ₱700 for the second offense and a fine of ₱1000 and revocation of driver’s license for the third offense.”

It did not specify if this applies to the rider, passenger or both and I can understand how it causes confusion. What is clear, however, is that the rule applies to the “motorcycle operator,” which wasn’t mentioned in the definition of terms section.

Back in 2021, the late former LTO chief Alberto Suansing, author of AHS 2008-15, clarified in a public interview that “motorcycle operator” refers to both rider and passenger.

He opined that back riders are considered operators as well because they have indirect control over the handling and operation of a motorcycle.

That settled the argument, or so I thought.

Are closed shoes really necessary?

In the recent Yamaha YClub Mania event held at the Filinvest Tent in Alabang, among the special guests who graced the occasion was Rep. Bosita.

Upon addressing the crowd in attendance, he again brought up the issue of footwear regulation for passengers.

To my surprise, about half of those in attendance raised their hands in agreement with what he was advocating. In fact, he stated his sentiments with such conviction that I almost doubted my own understanding of motorcycle safety.

Yet, are motorcycle passengers really not exposed to the same risks of injury as the riders? How difficult is it really to wear a pair of shoes and afford one’s toes some level of protection in case of a spill?

For safer rides

To get some clarity on the matter, I asked motorcycle taxi head honchos David Medrana of Angkas and Wayne Jacinto of Move It about their policy on passenger footwear.

They both stated that, in the interest of safety, their riders are obliged to refuse passengers wearing slippers.

I suppose, like the rest of us, their riders also have to abide by the regulations set by LTO, regardless of whether they agree with them or not.

We all have to play by the rules because unless the good legislator Rep. Bosita passes a law that would say otherwise, the freedom to operate a private motorized vehicle on public roads is, after all, a conditional privilege and not a right.

What's your take on this footwear debate?

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SADDLETALE is the weekly column of AutoFun Philippines Motorcycle Editor Gilbert Chao. Read about his thoughts on two-wheelers every Wednesday!