To further promote Iloilo City as the “Bike Capital of the Philippines,” the first National Bicycle Day Fun Ride – Visayas Leg was held at Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park on November 23, 2014 from 6:00AM onwards. With the theme “Shifting Towards a Bicycle-friendly Philippines,” the event emphasized the significance of promoting biking as an alternative healthy activity and wellness treatment among Ilonggos. Exciting biking gears were raffled off during the event which was participated in by thousands of bikers all over the city.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog encouraged biking enthusiasts to join the event. He stressed that the big event boosts the metropolis’ growing reputation as an ideal sports tourism destination. “Bicycling is not only good for the environment but it is also a solution to our current transportation woes. It is an efficient and fun way to get around, avoid getting stuck in traffic while getting the exercise you need to stay healthy without having to make the extra time to work out,” organizers said.

“Put the fun between your legs. Get on your bicycles and be counted. Sign up. Volunteer. Support. Join the first-ever National Bicycle Day and watch a whole nation make the shift towards a bicycle-friendly Philippines,” organizers urged.

Today, with the daily, time-consuming, stress-filled traffic gridlock that has been the general scene all over the metropolis, bicycling makes more sense than driving a car, squeezing into a toxic-fume-spewing jeep/bus, or even lining up to take the crowded and dreaded public transport to get to one’s destination.

To address this pressing issue, the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) and the National Bicycle Organization (NBO) petitioned the Office of the President to declare the month of November as the National Bicycle Month and every 4th Sunday of November thereafter as the National Bicycle Day.

After some reviews and in line with these initiatives, other five simultaneous rides nationwide will kick off in the National Capital Region (17 cities of Metro Manila) and Mindanao:

• North Route passing through the northern cities of Manila (San Juan, Manila, Navotas, Malabon, Caloocan, Quezon City, Marikina, and Pasig) with start off point at Greenhills Shopping Center
• South Route passing through the southern cities of Manila (Pasig, Taguig, Paranaque, Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Pasay, Makati, and Mandaluyong) with start off point at Tiendesitas
• Central Luzon (Pampanga)
• Northern Luzon (Ilocos Sur)
• Mindanao (Davao City)