Jose Maria
Daza Sanchez
By José María Daza Sánchez
This is the title of the writer and journalist Héctor Abad Faciolince, in EL ESPECTADOR, on Sunday, December 9, 2018, in an article that refers to the situation of cities in the face of the proliferation of motorcycles in circulation on their roads.
Héctor Abad Faciolince says: “In some Asian countries, in fact, this controversy (referring to the imposition of taxes and other restrictions) has already been lost. When one has gone to Jakarta, for example, and has been able to witness the hell that the motorcycle empire has become (that there are no buses or subways but rather the entire town is transported by motorcycle), one witnesses helplessly a horrible image of the future that awaits us, and that in some intermediate cities is already here.” In another article on the same topic, the author points out that to the extent that the circulation of this device, which they once called “The Japanese Revenge,” increases, cities will become more “pauperized” every day.
That was like 2016 and at the time I did not understand it and what was stated by this columnist, writer and journalist seemed absurd to me. Today I remember these quotes and I agree with you completely.
The dimension of the problem that is being generated in cities with the disproportionate increase in motorcycles in circulation has not been measured. Worse when there is no authority to regulate its distribution and marketing.
“When one here suggests that motorcycles pay tolls or pay taxes, both for ecological and public health reasons, today’s knights-errant come out to defend their horses tooth and nail, that is, their untouchable motorcycles.” Point out, Faciolince.
The marketers have filled their coffers with the sale of the motorcycles. They deliver it with just the ID, without restrictions. And the contribution to the city in benefits, very little, especially if they enroll them in other cities. I don’t know, how much, in terms of taxes, do they pay, for example, Quibdó? In terms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), there should be important contributions that contribute to the awareness of the buyer and the person who is going to conduct it!
The inability of management, perception and projection of our leaders to establish serious policies regarding mobility and control of circulation has led to cities taking advantage of these motor vehicles (“Motorcycle: Two-wheeled motor vehicle in line, with capacity for the driver and a passenger”. Law 769 of 2002) that without legal restrictions have become entrenched, displacing the public urban transport service Well, so much so that practically, at least in Quibdó, it ended up cornering it and today it is difficult to transport people in a car. collective, given that it did not update or become competitive with its service, replacing it with the high risk of riding the motorcycle.
In the country during the year 2023, 678,660 motorcycles were sold with a monthly average of 56,000 motorcycles. Cars were 182,222 in the year. In Chocó and specifically for Quibdó it has not been possible to determine, given that the marketing companies mostly register them in other cities. I have submitted to the Transit Secretariat a right of request to know and be able to convey the information to our readers, in relation to this topic. Let’s hope they respond within the terms.
In some post or publication on social networks I read that in Quibdó about eleven thousand motorcycles (11,000) are sold a year. “There is no bed for so many people” sang Celia Cruz. Today it is impossible to park other vehicles. The platforms are also flooded and accompanied by street vendors make it impossible for pedestrians to circulate, which in other cities have become important beings. Here in Quibdó there are no priorities. In addition to the chaos in mobility due to the irresponsibility of the people who own and drive these motorcycles, which, in the face of the inefficient and incapable traffic authority, is abused. There is no respect for traffic rules. They impose a restriction on circulation, incorrectly called “Pico y Placa” and very few respect it; The few traffic signals, including traffic lights, which work well, are not respected. We live in a situation of desperation on the part of these drivers, both men and women, because they do not escape from ignorance and walk like “Pedro through his house.”
It is not easy to educate people on this matter because we get used to making fun of the law and the authorities. Campaigns to raise awareness of respect and personal care are going to cost a lot of resources, but they could begin with the accompaniment of students in the last grades of secondary school, accompanied by police and traffic officers, on a massive scale.
As the ladies say: “There is a lot to cut” in this matter.
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