Sinimulan ni Boyet Espino, isang motorcycle enthusiast ang signature drive sa Change.org na humihiling sa administrasyong Marcos na i-ban ang lahat ng car at motorcycle endurance events sa pampublikong lansangan na aniya’y natutuloy sa malagim na aksidente na kumikitil ng buhay ng mga inosenteng mamamayan.
“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,” nakasaad sa petisyon na inihain sa Change.org.
Ito ay matapos bawian ng buhay ang dalawang katao nang salpukin diumano ng mga participants ng 2024 BOSS Ironman Motorcycle Challenge (BIMC) na ginanap nitong weekend sa Northern Luzon Loop.
Bukod dito, ilang riders at pedestrian ang sugatan din sa magkakahiwalay na insidente na may kinalaman sa naturang event.
“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,” nakasaad sa petisyon ni Espino.
“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,” dagdag niya.
Ang BIMC ay taunang event na isinasagawa sa Luzon at Mindanao kung saan kailangan kumpletuhin ng mga participants ang 1,400km ruta sa loob ng 24 oras para makatanggap ng ‘Finisher’s Certificate.’ Ang pinakahuling BIMC ay dinaluhan ng mahigit 2,000 big bikers.