THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
6 AgL -7 
p4:'I:1 
Third Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Riding anything with wheels is a popular recreation activity for persons of all ages. 
Filipinos, both adults and children, love riding bikes, non-powered scooters, roller skates and 
skate boards for recreation and as a means of transportation. However, riding these wheeled 
contraptions is very dangerous. People are exposed to various injuries, especially head traumas. 
Although there is no data on the frequency of helmet use among Filipinos, it is common 
knowledge that majority of Filipinos do not wear helmets or any protective gear when they ride 
bikes, scooters, roller skates or roller blades and skate boards. 
We can not underestimate the advantages of wearing a helmet to prevent head injury. 
Helmets work by dissipating the sharp energy of a blow over a large surface area. Studies show 
that a properly worn bicycle helmet can effectively reduce the occurrence of brain injury by 63- 
88%. 
In the Philippines, helmet use by motorcycles is already mandatory. While I have already 
filed a bill to promote bicycle helmet use, there is stili no legislation promoting the use of 
helmets when skateboards, scooters, roller skates or roller blades and skate boards are used. To 
remedy the vacuum in the law, this bill seeks to promote mandatory use of helmets for people 
who use not only bicycles, but also non-motorized scooters, skateboards and roller skates or 
roller blades. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUB1,IC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
6 RVS --/ 
p4 :c1 
Third Regular Session 
1 
~~~~~~~~~~ 
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4 
S E N  
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE MANDATORY USE OF HELMETS WHEN RIDING BICYCLES, 
SKATEBOARDS 
NON-MOTORIZED SCOOTERS, ROLLER SKATES OR ROLLER BLADES AND 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Shorl Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Safe Riders Act of 2006.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of I’ololicy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
promote the general welfare by providing means to ensure people’s safety when they use 
wheeled contraptions. 
SECTION 3. Applicalion. - This Act will apply - 
(1) at all times while a bicycle, non-motorized scooter, roller skates or roller blades and 
skateboard is being operated on any street, road, parks, or other property open to the public or 
used by the public for pedestrian or vehicular traffic and places of recreation; and 
(2) to a person who is riding on a bicycle, non-motorized scooter, roller skates or roller 
blades and skateboard including a person who is a passenger on a bicycle or a non-motorized 
scooter: 
(a) in a restraining seat attached to the bicycle; 
or 


(b) in a trailer or side car being towed by the bicycle. However, this Act shall not 
apply to passengers of commercial pedicabs unless the local government units 
involve provides otherwise. 
SECTION 4. Restrictions. - A person to whom this Act applies may not operate or ride 
as a passenger on a bicycle, non-motorized scooter, roller skates or roller blades and skateboard 
unless the person is wearing a helmet that i s  properly wom and meets or exceeds the standards 
for protective headgear for use in bicycles, non-motorized scooter, roller skates or roller blades 
and skateboard, set by the appropriate government agency or by any applicable international 
standards. 
SECTION 5. Penalties. - This Act shall be enforced by the issuance of a warning that 
informs the offender of the requirements of this Act and provides educational materials about 
bicycle helmet use. However, repeat offenders or parents or guardians of minor repeat offenders, 
will be fined P500.00 for each repetition of the offense. 
SECTION 6. Sepuvubi1ity~Cluu.w. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
jps/3-9-06