Big push bike event on tap

It’s all systems go for over 200 kids from two to eight years old as they vie for honors in 10 events at the National Push Bike Championships organized by Cebu’s KC46 and Metro Manila’s Kick2Pedal to be held in front of the Quirino Grandstand, Luneta, on Saturday. The competition is open to all brands of push bikes with kids coming from around the Philippines and some from Indonesia and Malaysia.

The 10 events are classified according to year of birth in the boys, girls and mixed categories. They’re 2021 mixed, 2020 girls, 2020 boys, 2019 girls, 2019 boys, 2018 mixed, 2017 mixed, 2016 mixed, open girls (2015-18) and open boys (2015-18). Winners will receive trophies while participants will take home finisher medals and loot bags.

According to Kick2Pedal spokesperson Cristalle Belo-Pitt, the sport is growing exponentially as more and more parents recognize what it can do for kids. Imagine a 21-month-old boy or girl traversing a winding track, foot-pushing a no-pedal two-wheeler to glide at his or her own pace. “It builds confidence, coordination, leg strength and motor skills that enhance brain development,” said Belo-Pitt. “Once a child masters balance, he or she will be ready to go on a pedal bike. This is all about racing little riders, interacting with other kids, enjoying the outdoors.”

Push biking has taken Asia by storm and the top Asian push bike races include the RSR Runbike Championships in Thailand, King of the Curve in China, RCS Runbike Championship Series in Japan, Runbike Warrior in China, King of Runbike in China, M8 International Push Bike Championships in Malaysia, Bixibi Race in Taiwan and Strider Cup World Championships in Japan. “These international races are known for their thrilling fast-track courses that push riders to excel mentally, physically and technically,” said Belo-Pitt who is joined by Sofia Genato-Schoonmaker and Tisha Ang-Domingue as Kick2Pedal’s prime movers.

Believe it or not, push or balance bikes were the first bikes invented in the 17th century. Before gears and pedals found their way to the bicycle, the prototype of all bikes was the push bike. In the Philippines, push biking or balance bike racing was introduced in 2018 and races conducted by Philippine Balance Bike Riding, KC46, Kick2Pedal and South Push Bike Racing have been staged in Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, Davao, Pangasinan, Bulacan and Metro Manila.

Belo-Pitt said the plan is to register push biking as a sports association or an affiliate of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines. Recognition by the Philippine Sports Commission will give push biking a boost as it sets the table for a coordinated nationwide program with a key goal of tapping expert coaches to provide top-tier training. Kick2Pedal has taken the initiative of organizing an academy to teach kids the basics and finer points of push biking. Classes are held at the Colegio San Agustin campus in Dasmariñas Village, Makati (Mondays and Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m. for beginners and 5-6 p.m. for advanced and Saturdays, 9-10 a.m. for beginners and 10-11 a.m. for advanced) and at the Alabang Hills covered courts, Alabang (Tuesdays, 3-4 p.m. for beginners and Thursdays, 4-5 p.m. for advanced). Details are in the Kick2Pedal website kick2pedal.com.

On Saturday, the National Push Bike Championships will bring together children, showcasing their talents and promoting the many benefits of the sport. The event promises to be a fun-filled day for both participants and spectators, featuring various activities and booths to engage the whole family. To register, visit https://forms.gle/87isFfFDohAhj5C6 or send an email to [email protected].