More Bike Racks Needed

The pandemic we are in right now gives us time to rethink alternatives that we never thought of before. One great alternative to commuting by public transportation is simply using a bicycle to work. Biking to work has many benefits. It is healthier. It is better for the environment. It saves time. It is a very practical solution to the traffic that has haunted us for years prior to COVID 19. 

The present situation has shown how a humble bicycle can be the most practical and dependable mode of transportation for someone living in Quezon City City and working in as far as Makati City. The huge number of cyclists on the road when mass transportation was shut down due to the pandemic reveals that the bicycle is a life-saver. It is definitely the right time to come up with government policies aimed at protecting cyclists. Policies that are meant to encourage "biking to work" should be implemented in major highways including EDSA.

If there are more infrastructures on the highway that are bike-friendly, there would be more people who would consider biking to work. The lack of protected bike lanes is often the main reason why most people are discouraged from using a bicycle to work. If there are bike lanes, vehicles and other structures can be found there. Motorcycles also compete with bicycles in the use of these bike lanes. It is also not easy to implement rules and regulations aimed at ensuring that bike lanes are for the exclusive use of cyclists.

Most people in the Philippines depend on mass public transport to get to work. Only a few families can afford a private vehicle. When quarantine restrictions were enforced, more people opted or rendered without choice, used a bicycle. As a result, the air was a lot cleaner. The use of bicycles has lessened those gas emissions and our dependence on fossil fuel has been reduced.

Using a bicycle to work also solves "parking problems". What I like most about using a bicycle is that I do not need to worry about parking. If I go to the malls and I only need to buy a few stuff, I use my bicycle. Parking has never been a problem. There are bike racks that you can use for free. However, with more people realizing the practicality and efficiency of using a bicycle to go to the malls, I hope that there would be more bike racks for cyclists to use.

Whenever I opt to bike to work or go to the mall, I often use my Merida Mountain Bike. I really find this bicycle durable and tough on the road. When it rains, the Merida Mountain Bike with its big wheels has better traction on the road compared to a road bike.  But always remember, the final decision on what type of bicycle to use to get to your destination depends on you! What is important is that you feel confident, comfortable, and safe whenever you use that bicycle.