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After a month of stay in the Philippines, I’ve thought about how things can be improved in the old country starting with traffic. One major cause of traffic on several narrow streets in the Philippines are the increasing number of “trisikads” on local streets. To those not familiar with trisikads, it’s a bicycle with a sidecar used for public transportation.

The problem is - trisikads have found their way on major streets and thoroughfaires throughout the Philippines clogging an already narrow and densely trodden roads. Trisikads were originally meant for subdivision use only. A trisikad slows down traffic since it’s powered by human legs and don’t travel more than 5mph. Trisikads also take up a lane in the already crowded streets.

Should trisikads be prohibited? Eliminating trisikads will alleviate some of the traffic congestions in the cities, but eliminating them completely may not be a good idea. Trisikads provide a service to those who use it. Many students and workers use trisikad as a means of getting from point A to point B in areas where Jeepneys do not travel.

Trisikads also is a source of income to a number of Filipinos and eliminating them will only displaced drivers into other vices and possibly crime. A compromise can be met. Trisikads can operate and provide a service to the community as long as they stay within the bounds of the law. What the local cities need are strictier laws in regards where and when can trisikads can operate. The laws and regulations regarding trisikads need to be enforced.

Only then can traffic move freely on the streets in the Philippines.