LRTA to hold bike-on, bike-off race

MANILA, Philippines - The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) will hold a bike-on, bike-off race through Metro Manila tomorrow using the LRT Lines 1 and 2 in its first ever “Amazing Rails” challenge in its effort to promote rail and bike transport around the metropolis.

LRTA administrator Melquiades Robles said the race will hopefully stir interest in the possible use of folding bikes to access the stations of LRT Line 1 and Line 2 among its regular passengers instead of riding buses and jeepneys.

“We want the motorists of Metro Manila to leave their vehicles at home, grab a foldable bike and ride it to their nearest LRT Line 1 or Line 2 station, and ride our trains to work,” Robles said.

The race is one of the activities lined up by the LRTA to celebrate its 30th anniversary this Monday.

Around 30 pairs have already registered to join the race, which will test their endurance, speed, and familiarity with the LRT Line 1 and 2’s stations. The team that finishes the race first by going through all the “control points” and is the first to arrive at the final control point shall win the competition.

The first prize will be P30,000 and two brand-new Dahon Vitesse D7 folding bicycles; second prize winners get P20,000 and two Dahon Eco 3 folding bikes; and third prize winners get P15,000 and two Ecosmo (Dahon-licensed) Metro folding bikes.