By Reynard Magtoto, VERA Files
Looking at the non-motorist map. Image c/o VERA Files
As a motorist, are you tired of being caught in the day-to-day traffic and continuous oil price hike?
Then why not try biking — an eco-friendly, cheap and efficient alternative mode of transportation.
Marikina, Pasig and other cities in Metro Manila have already caught the “biking bug.”
Some local government units (LGUs) are now active in advocating bicycling as a means of city transport, according to a recent forum and mapping workshop on non-motorized transport (NMT) at the Ateneo De Manila University.
For instance, the Marikina Bikeways Project that encourages residents to use bicycles around the city is well-supported by local legislation with $1.3-million funding from the World Bank- and the Global Environment Facility.
Carlota Contreras, officer in charge of Marikina Bikeways, said the local government is trying to remove all barriers to bicycling. She said: “Binigyan (kami) ng pondo kasi daw mahal yung bikeways, may ordinansa kami para resputuhin ang bicycling, may enforcement group kami (We were given funds because bikeways are expensive, we have an ordinance to respect bicycling, we have an enforcement group).”
She said Marikina provides adequate and safe parking facilities for bikers, greater access to major transport channels, and includes bicycle lane construction in its regular infrastructure projects.
The bikeways established in Marikina are on Katipunan Road, Fortune Avenue, Gen. Ordoñez St., J.P. Rizal St., W. Paz St., Shoe Avenue, Gen. Ordeñez St. to Marcos Highway, V. Santos St., Katipunan Access Road, and on B.G. Molina St.
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