“Ang akon handum, gintuman guid naton!” – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas
Cycling or riding a bike has been a common mode of transportation for everyone during the pandemic, whether for work, recreation, or doing everyday activities. And it's not only in Metro Manila, where an estimated 500,000 people ride their bikes to work, according to a June poll conducted by a nonprofit encouraging environmentally friendly means of transportation.
Outside the National Capital Region, cities are taking steps to guarantee that cyclists have a fair and safe share of the road. The Mobility Awards is an initiative by local alternative transport and climate groups that helps determine cities, establishments, and workplaces that are most conducive to biking.
Last week, Iloilo City won 2 gold bike-friendly awards, one from Mobility Awards as the Most Bicycle Friendly City in the Philippines - a private award and one National Bike Awardee as gold from the DILG, further cementing its status as the Philippines' biking capital.
“Here in Iloilo, we have noticed that more people are using bicycles as means of transportation because of the bike lanes. We are hopeful that this will promote healthier lifestyles while at the same time will further our efforts to combat climate change. Aside from the existing bike lanes, we are now helping DPWH develop additional bike lanes along the circumferential road, and this will even add more protected bike lanes in Iloilo city,” said Treñas on April 7.
"There are still a lot of initiatives that need to be done in order to bring back the tourism industry in the city and also to provide a livelihood to the Ilonggos. To Mobility Awards, thank you for this award for being the most bike-friendly in the Philippines. We will continue to improve and we will aim to make Iloilo City the best bike-friendly city in Asia." Treñas added.