‘It’s time to promote cycling culture in Philippines’

MANILA, Philippines — With the restrictions in transportation still in effect in most parts of the Philippines due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, a cycling enthusiast has pushed for the promotion of a “cycling culture” in the country.

In an interview with “The Chiefs” on One News Monday night, cyclist and former commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Gregorio Larrazabal said it is now time to engage the public into cycling since the government has not totally lifted the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

“If you bike, that means you have a healthy lifestyle. If you are not healthy, you will get tired with just one kilometer of run… The important thing here is you develop a cycling culture,” he noted.

However, Larrazabal underscored that it is vital for the government to put in place infrastructure like bike lanes on the roads to ensure the safety not only of bikers but other motorists as well.

He added that in enforcing bike lanes, the government should also advise the public on how it should be used to prevent road accidents.

“Now is the time to do that… If you take the MRT (Metro Rail Transit) you will wait for two hours but when you bike, it will only take you 30 minutes to get to your destination,” he said.

Larrazabal added they have been talking with mayors across the country and they are open to the idea of promoting the use of bicycles.

“They see that as an option already. There’s really no choice as you cannot use many vehicles now,” he maintained.