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Local gov’t eyes ‘Bike Day’ in Iloilo City

By Perla Lena

May 1, 2019, 6:42 pm

ILOILO CITY -- With more bike enthusiasts converging in Iloilo City annually, the local government here is looking forward to someday observe a “Bike Day”, when people go to work or visit places riding a bicycle.

In his message at the opening of the 6th Bike Festival here, Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa said he wanted to sustain the use of the city’s bike lane and observe road sharing.

Iloilo City has a dedicated bike lane on the Diversion Road and on selected thoroughfares in the downtown area.

Its bike lane stretches more than 11 kilometers. Last year, it was recognized as a bike-friendly city.

“This is a priority of my administration. Biking as a sport brings a lot of health benefits and it gives opportunity for the people to mingle with one another,” he said during the program held at the Megaworld Festive Walk in Mandurriao district of this city.

Espinosa said that possibly in the future, biking is not only done on a weekend but also when one goes to office.

He cited Amsterdam in The Netherlands as an example, whose bike population is double the number of its residents using bicycles.

However, Espinosa noted that he is relying more on the private sector to take the lead.

“We will be saving nature, we will be healthy, we will help lower carbon emission in the air and contribute, even, just a little, to address global warming,” he said.

The festival, anchoring on the theme “Riding for Unity in Bike-Friendly City”, has slated events for the weeklong celebration.

In addition to the Bike Exhibit that opens Wednesday until May 5 at the Megaworld Festive Mall Event Center, there is also a Tour D’ Quiñon at the Plazuela De Iloilo on May 1; BMX Street Exhibition on May 2 at the Festive Walk Megaworld; Impact Jam MTB Salon at Megaworld Boulevard on May 3; Family Fun Race at Megaworld Convention Drive and Fourcross and BMX Challenge at the Bike Tyangge Festive Mall on May 4; Fixed Gear Competition and Grand Fun Ride still at Megaworld on May 5.

Meantime, Moises Salomon Jr., officer-in-charge of the Iloilo City Sports Division, said they expect more than 2,000 bikers to join the weeklong event as various bike groups have been sent invitation.

Salomon said the city government continues to support the event, which promotes biking to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Meanwhile, the exhibit displays bikes of various sizes, as well as old and new models. Some of the bikes have prices up to PHP700,000.

Jennifer Fong, vice president of Megaworld Marketing Division, expressed their continuous support to the event.

“We hope that we don’t only foster unity among biking associations and enthusiasts, but may this event help us pedal towards a more progressive Iloilo,” she said. (PNA)

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