IT?S become a nightly horror show on the television news: broken and bleeding bodies picked up off the asphalt amid the twisted wreckage of what were once motorcycles or scooters.

The subliminal message is clear: dare to ride a bike on our mean streets and this is how you?ll wind up. Public officials and NGOs have raised the alarm: Deaths and injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes have become ?a public health epidemic? in the developing world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO report notes: ?Young motorcyclists make up a significant percentage of injuries and fatalities among road users in many Asian countries. Factors such as speed, no helmets, risk-taking behavior, and drunk-driving contribute to the rising trend.?

The fatality rate among motorcycle accident victims in the country ?has become alarming,? according to the Department of Health. Head injuries are the leading cause of deaths. The WHO estimates that these could have been reduced by up to 40 per cent if the victims were wearing proper helmets. In 2007 alone, the MMDA listed 11,869 accidents involving motorcycles, with a total of 113 fatalities. There were significantly more car accidents (61,448) but fewer fatalities among them (91).

Despite these alarms, motorcycle sales have been growing at an unprecedented rate, driven by high fuel costs and easy-on-the-pocket installment plans. For many Filipino families, a motorcycle is the only affordable private vehicle. There are now an estimated 2.6 million registered motorcycles in the Philippines, according to Land Transportation Office (LTO) statistics (though some say the actual number could be as high as 3.5 million). Some 671,588 new motorcycles were registered in 2007, compared with only 46,183 new cars. And the numbers are still growing.

To solve this crisis, a number of proposals have been put forward by various legislators and public officials. A bill has been filed that would ban motorcycles from main roads altogether. Old proposals for separate bike lanes have been taken out of the mothballs and revived. The LTO recently issued an administrative order that tightens restrictions on motorcycles and imposes the wearing of a helmet.

But these proposals skirt what many motorcycle advocacy groups feel is the heart of the matter: rider education. Most Filipino riders learn to ride informally, from friends or family members, or by reading articles and surfing the Web. But few, if ever, undergo a systematic course of training that would prepare them for the road and its unforgiving realities.

According to Jake Swann, chief instructor of the Motorcycle Riders Course?one of only a handful of formal motorcycle instruction groups in the country??human error? is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents. ?It?s easier to penalize than to educate,? he says. ?Education is an uphill battle. It is difficult, time consuming, and requires effort, commitment and money.?

But, he suggests, it?s the only way to manage the risks inherent in riding a motorcycle. ?The very first thing they teach you in motorcycle school is how to think - it?s always a question of how to manage risk.?

Riding a motorcycle safely is considerably more demanding of the rider than driving a car, he explains. Riders need to take note of an ?oval of safety? that includes road conditions, the weather, the physical and mental state of the rider, and the condition of his bike. A two-wheeled vehicle needs to be constantly balanced. It handles differently from a car, having to lean to turn. It also needs more room to brake.

Unlike a car driver who is enclosed in a metal cage that offers some protection in the event of an accident, a motorcycle rider is exposed and vulnerable, with a higher risk of injury in case of a collision. Because the motorcycle is smaller than a car, he adds, psychology also comes into the picture. ?After a collision, the reason or excuse the other guy usually gives is ?I didn?t see you,? which really means ?I didn?t look out for you,?? says Swann.

Many car drivers are oblivious of motorcyclists, concentrating on larger vehicles on the road. Few are familiar with motorcycles and their different handling and braking characteristics. ?A motorcycle rider has to be able to see and be seen,? he underscores.

Which is why a rider should make himself more visible by wearing bright or reflective clothing, keeping his headlights on at all times, and being aware of the blind spots in a car driver?s vision.

But there?s much more to learning to ride a motorcycle safely, which is why the Motorcycle Riders Course has different programs tailored for beginning, intermediate and advanced riders. ?I rode a lot of bikes when I was younger,? says Swann. ?Like many young riders, I liked to go fast and crazy. But I always wanted to learn how to become a safer rider.?

In his research, Swann discovered the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a US-based institute that offers comprehensive motorcycle skills training. After much deliberation, Swann went to New Mexico to undergo the Foundation?s rigorous training program. ?It turned my head around,? he says. ?I thought I could do a lot of things on a bike, but the experience humbled me. It forced me to look at motorcycling in a different way.?

After finishing the instructors course, Swann became a certified instructor?so far the only non-American?and returned to the Philippines to set up the Motorcycle Riders Course which he has been running since 2001. Apart from offering various levels of training for riders, he also works as a consultant on motorcycle safety for various government and non-government agencies.

Another avenue for educating motorcycle riders is the media. A specialized press catering to the growing motorcycle community has emerged, with several monthly magazines being published. Many of these offer safety tips apart from features on new bike models, accessories and motor sports.

According to Nani Juarez, technical editor of Scooterista magazine, riding a motorcycle carries inherent risks which the rider must weigh against its advantages. It is the rider?s responsibility to educate himself on these risks and how to manage them.

?I have been riding the streets of Metro Manila for more than ten years. I have already experienced a few crashes and survived, and still have not given up riding due to many practical reasons,? he shares.

The reasons Filipinos are taking to the motorcycle today in unprecedented numbers, he says, are not just economic. Having a bike gives the owner mobility, it increases his productivity, and also provides recreation.

At the same time a bike consumes considerably less energy than a typical car - certainly less than a gas-guzzling SUV - which can only be good for the environment. Provided you have the necessary skills to negotiate a traffic jam, the bike also gets you there in less time than a car.

Enthusiasts become part of a community, forming clubs and riding groups that provide social interaction. Some have even organized themselves into advocacy groups for protecting their rights and lobbying for their interests. ?The most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Metro Manila are the following: rider error, which includes factors such as the rider being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and a lack of knowledge and training in proper motorcycle handling. The other causes are other motorists using the roads, visibility issues, road and weather conditions and mechanical failure.?

Like many riders, Juarez takes exception to the proposal to ban two-wheeled vehicles from major streets. ?Motorcycles are built and are intended to be used in the same roads used by cars. The only difference is the footprint or the space taken up by motorcycles. The issue is not to make stop-gap remedies but to face the problems squarely and come up with the right solution. The problem can be addressed by implementing stricter licensing procedures by the LTO, which is what our neighboring countries do. Motorcycling is a privilege, not a right. Motorcycling has inherent risks, and users should have extensive knowledge on how to ride safely so crashes can be prevented by stricter rules and regulations in issuing motorcycle licenses, and a public information campaign stressing safe riding. As I see it, this is the only we can prevent or lessen motorcycle accidents. A public information campaign on motorcycle safety on the part of the motorcycle industry would be a welcome development, for instance.?

He adds: ?It is actually easy to be a responsible motorcyclist. There is a lot of information available for free on the Internet, for instance. But the best way is to take a basic course in riding and operating motorcycles in one of the schools already operating in Metro Manila.?

In the meantime, Juarez offers a few practical tips for those already on the road:

? Accept that there is an inherent risk in riding motorcycles. Wear safety gear whenever riding: a helmet, jacket, gloves, sturdy shoes and long pants. Lessen the exposure of bare skin to minimize the risk of road rash, or what local bikers refer to as ?tocino.?

? Always see to it that you are visible to other motorists. Keep your headlights on even during the daytime, and wear reflective vests or garments.

? Ride defensively. Motorcyclists always lose in the end when involved in a crash.

? Be considerate to other road users, whether other riders or car drivers.

? Maintain the proper distance from other vehicles so you can react in time to situations as they arise. Panic and surprise are the leading causes of crashes.

? Keep your machine properly maintained to minimize breakdowns on the road.

? Look further. The further you are able to see, the better your judgment will be of oncoming risks or hazards.

? Obey traffic rules.

? Always be attentive and alert to your surroundings, and check all directions when you are in an intersection. You never know what can happen,

? Don?t drink and ride.

The Motorcycle Riders Course can be reached at tel. no. 725-3949 or email mrc@motorcyclephilippines.com