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Number of cyclists in PH decreasing

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Filipino bikers are 96% male and 4% female

By Sheila Janine Caspe

The number of cyclists in the Philippines decreased by around 25% this year compared to 2022, cycling advocates reported.

A biker’s count project said Tuesday, October 10, there is an estimated 44,000 decrease in the number of cyclists compared to a similar count conducted in the same period last year.

Organizers of mobilityawards.ph said they counted around 147,800 bikers during peak hours in 17 cities across the Philippines, a marked drop from 191,578 in 2022.

Mobility Awards national coordinator Arielle Celine Tabinga said the decline in the number of cyclists have been attributed by volunteers to unsafe road conditions, including deteriorating conditions of bike lanes and encroachment of motorists in designated bike lanes.

Tabinga added that the decrease is also due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions on public transport and the continuous rains that poured on the days of the count.

The bike count, conducted by 817 volunteers of the Bilang Siklista Bike Count project, also reported that Filipino bikers are 96% male and 4% female.

The count was held during the 4-hour peak times of 6:00 to 8:00 in the morning and 4:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon in June and July.

The bike count report also calculated that 147,800 commuter cyclists save PHP 615,207 in fuel costs from cars and PHP 208,223.80 from motorcycles.

The group added that commuter cyclists reduce the country’s carbon emissions by as much as 36.74 metric tons. 

In a press conference last October 10, Mobility Awards convenors Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), The Climate Reality Project Philippines, MNL Moves, 350 Pilipinas, called for urgent improvements of transport infrastructure in cities across the country.

They said the improvements must offer safer and more inclusive mobility not only for cyclists but pedestrians and commuters as well.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) program manager Eldon Joshua Dionisio meanwhile said road expansion projects and construction of pedestrian walkways are being initiated by the agency in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Dionisio added that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is strengthening policies for cyclists’ safety and stricter implementation of laws on loading and unloading areas. #

Emergency bike repair station to open at EDSA-Timog

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[EDITED]

Cyclists needing repairs may fix their rides for free at the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) Station at EDSA corner Timog Avenue in Quezon City starting tomorrow, Sunday, September 4.

An emergency bike repair station has been put up at the spot equipped with an air pump, bike lifter, basic tools as well as first aid equipment for injured riders.

Bike air pump (Supplied photo)

The bike repair station will also have a bike parts sharing basket that serves as a drop off point to anyone in need of bike parts or intends to donate unwanted or used but still serviceable bike parts.

The bicycle repair station is a project of REACT Ready Group who are public and industrial safety professionals and disaster risk reduction advocates and practitioners.  

REACT Ready Group collaborated on the project with the BeSeekLetA for EveryJuan, an organization known for its road safety advocacy projects for bike commuters.

Thousands of residents have started using bicycles as transportation since the government imposed lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic.  

(Supplied photo)

REACT Ready Group public information officer Ares Gutierrez said more emergency bike repair stations in strategic locations along EDSA shall be put up soon.

Another station at the Quezon Elliptical Road is being considered, he said.

Gutierrez added the emergency bike repair stations are private sector initiatives and no government funds are being used in the project.

The bike repair stations will be turned over to the MMDA. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)

More emergency bike repair station kits to be distributed in strategic points along EDSA. (Supplied photo)

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The original story mistakenly identified the Timog-EDSA emergency bike repair station as the first. Readers have pointed out that at least two similar machines have been put up already along Commonwealth Avenue and Aurora Boulevard, although these do not seem to have a parts-sharing mechanism and first aid kits.