Bike enthusiasts urge city council to pass bike ordinances amid growing community
by Krizial Apog | May 31, 2024
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Bike enthusiasts are urging the city council to pass the bike-related ordinances during the City Hall Hour on Thursday, May 29.
“One is the Sunday’s Bike Ride, one is the Baguio Bike Festival [institutionalization], another one is the shared lane, the micro-mobility lane. So ‘yun ‘yung tatlong alam kong pending doon, siguro pinag-all in one na nilang i-review lahat ‘yun, para tignan ano ‘yung mga flaws or defects na na-encounter,” said Rhey Delmendo, pioneer organizer of the Sunday Bike Ride, during the session.
Delmendo emphasized that due to the growing biker community in the city, proper bike lanes and weekly rides are needed.
“Maganda siguro na gawin na nila ‘yung [bike lane] ordinance na there is a shared lane maski absent ‘yung markings basta ma-aprubahan na siguro ‘yung ordinance,” he added.
“Actually it’s already on the second reading doon sa city council, mayroon lang issues regarding doon sa construction noong bike lane,” he explained.
Meanwhile, according to Delmendo, the proposed weekly bike ride started when the pioneering group, including Mayor Benjamin Magalong, went for a ride during the pandemic.
“That was May 2020 yata nag-start then the following month is work bicycle day, the one that we are celebrating again now, so doon ulit nagkaroon ng idea na we are going to do it again every Sunday,” he added.
Ian Alacar, another bike enthusiast and Director of Shimano Bike Fest and Kids Race, also urged the council during the session to expand the community-initiated Sang-atan Bike Festival in July to other Cordillera communities.
“Kasama po doon sa mga events po natin, we have night rides, we have bike olympics, we also have bike packing, and then we also have ‘yung ating mga adventure bike events, and we also have professional races,” Alacar said.
“We would like to not just invite the BLISSTT (Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay), but ‘yung mga Metro Manila participants natin, ‘yung Central Luzon participants natin,” he added.
All three ordinances are yet to be institutionalized by the city council.
