Is two-wheeled transport the future of getting around our cities?

We are currently living in the age of social distancing caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Public transportation is not at all available right now in areas under enhanced community quarantine or “ECQ.” In areas under general community quarantine or “GCQ” public transportation has resumed though with half or less than half the capacity. 

Soon, Metro Manila and other areas under ECQ will be under a more open GCQ. While that does mean the resumption of public transportation, again, they will only be able to take half or less than half the capacity. That is in compliance with safety measures against COVID-19. This will definitely cause huge delays for commuters. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has even warned that the already long lines at the MRT Line-3 may get even longer and that passengers must give a lead time of 2 to 3 hours if they wish to ride the system. Jeepneys, buses, taxis, and ride-hailing transport will all have less capacity as well. This isn’t practical for everyone, so how will people get around without the hassle?

Motorcycles are already a popular form of private transportation in the Philippines. In 2019, different motorcycle brands in the country sold a combined total of around 1.8-million units making it the fifth largest market for motorcycles around the world. That number is caused largely in part by the heavy traffic experienced daily in Metro Manila and other major cities around the country, and inadequate public transportation system.  Everyone knows that a 5 to 10 minute drive on a traffic-free day can easily become a 1 to 2 hour drive to hell on a bad day. Sometimes even worse depending on the weather.

It is not just motorcycles though. Electric scooters have also been gaining in popularity the past few years especially for those who need them for shorter trips around the city. Visit a market or grocery and you’ll definitely find someone using an e-scooter to buy some home essentials. Unfortunately they have been the subject of heavy criticism by the car driving and even motorcycle riding public due to their slow and undisciplined riding, usually in the middle of a busy road too. That can be fixed once the government finalizes regulations on these types of vehicles.

Another but more recent trend is the increasing popularity of electric kick scooters. These look like kick scooters used by kids but with the addition of a battery or electric motor. Just like e-scooters, these kick scooters are also a subject of criticism. The government is now preparing some regulations for their use and hopefully the results will be positive.

Thanks to the current pandemic, the government through the DOTr has encouraged the use of these two-wheel transport vehicles once we adapt to the “new normal.” When we start going on with our daily lives again, it won’t be surprising to see an increased amount of road traffic. People who used to commute instead of taking their own cars will more likely be driving their cars instead. We might even see an increase of car sales all because of fear of getting infected by other people and because of avoidance of inconvenience caused by social distancing measures.

Motorcycles, electric scooters, and kick scooters will prove to be more convenient for the public. It was already convenient when everything was truly normal. A lot of our neighbors from countries like Taiwan, China, Vietnam, and even those far away in Europe have already been using these two-wheeled vehicles for daily use. A lot more than we do here in our country. 

More so, the importance of two-wheeled transportation after the lifting of lockdowns or quarantines all around the world is expected to be known. We can expect the sales of motorcycles, electric scooters, and kick-scooters to boom. It is the best and easiest way to get around despite the requirements of social distancing. They are also extremely cost-efficient and also enjoyable to ride around.