Timely

Timely

Biking makes the body healthy .  Biking is  a very affordable mode of transportation be it for personal or when one reports to the place work and back home..  Through biking one can make new friends.  But is it safe to do this ?  In my city, however,  there is a need still to properly designate lanes for bikers inorder for one to be safe while on the street.  There is a strong move for this group of bikers here to ask government to implement asap the Bicycle Ordinance.  Hence, a group of bikers is asking the authorities for the passage of an implementing rules and regulations so that the law will be properly implemented.  Be safe bikers.  I hope government acts fast .... Here's my story ...

Advocate pushes for safety among biking enthusiasts in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, June 24 (PNA) -- Bike enthusiast and convenor of Cycle for Life is pushing for the rights of bikers on the streets in the same manner accorded to drivers of four-wheel vehicles.

Monica Ayala of Cycle for Life said they are conducting bicycle clinics for biking enthusiasts to brief them of their rights while passing through roads and other thoroughfares.

Ayala who guested at FAST Fridays held at Barrio Fiesta at SM Lanang Premier said they conduct workshops on road safety among schools, of which sone of their regulars are members of the "Ecoteneo" of the Ateneo de Davao University high school students.

Ayala said there are different types of bikers and among them are the daily bikers who use bicycles as their mode of transportation as they report to their place of work.

She said these are common among carpenters, laborers, and other daily wage earners.

"It is just unfortunate to see them compete with the big trucks and other fast moving vehicles without being given the courtesy of a three feet by three feet distance on the right and left," she said.

She said the three feet distance is indicated in the bicycle law.

The Bicycle Ordinance in Davao City was approved in 2006 but did not take off pending the passage of the Implementing Rules and Regulations, she said.

She said their group is supporting this ordinance even as they lobbied continuously for the passage of the corresponding IRR.

She recalled that among the first toy that kids have are bicycles, however most of them stopped biking as parents would not allow them to pursue it because of their exposure to hazards when they move to the main streets.

It could have been a good exercise for the kids rather than confine themselves indoor and instead tinker with their computer which does not involve physical activity, she said.

She also said that economically, bicycle is an alternative mode of transportation because it is less costly compared to the fuel-run vehicles.

In the meantime that Davao City has not finalized the provisions for bicycle lane and the approval of the corresponding IRR for the bicycle ordinance, Ayala said their group will continue to advocate for the safety issue.

Ayala said they are also gearing up for the National Bike Day.

"This is a nationwide activity to be held on November 16, 2014," she said.

She said they will be initiating activities in Davao City to encourage Dabawenyos to join in the celebration by cycling in the city. (PNA) CTB/LCM/PRIXDIGNA D. BANZON/LDP