Commuting in a crazy traffic.

Been alternating my mode of transport in the last four weeks. I commuted via public transports (Jeepney), then alternated it with bicycle, and driving to work on my pickup truck.

Just after the recent nationwide public transport strike, I took the jeepney again to commute to work. Rush hour, and the jeep I was riding, started to counter flow the opposite traffic so just to get ahead of everyone. Of course when he neared the intersection, he started to get back in lane and cut a car that was on the proper lane. The car was honking continuously and vigorously to no avail. The jeepney already cut his lane and he has no choice but to give way. And this very example is the type of drivers we have on the roads, no respect, no road courtesy and utter disregard for basic traffic rules. He counter-flowed the traffic on a solid yellow line road too. Then he foul mouthed the traffic enforcer upon reaching the intersection because of the heavy traffic, blaming the traffic aid for the buildup. Just another disrespectful, ill-mannered and uneducated driver on the road.

The public transport strike was done in protest to the higher penalties for traffic violations. The public transport sector was very much against it, as it will be too much for them considering they earn very little and oil price are on the continuous rise. And if they are fined for violations, they have nothing left, in fact they cannot afford to pay the penalties.

But if we continue to have drivers like described above, by all means penalize them. In fact, take them off the roads. Higher penalties are there to teach drivers a lesson, to discipline the drivers and of course to discourage and deter traffic violations. If drivers can follow basic traffic laws, no one has to worry about the penalties. No one will be penalized for staying in lane and giving way to pedestrians. No one will be penalized if you stop to alight and aboard passengers at the designated stops and not on the middle of the road. No one will be penalized if you will use your turn signals, stop on red light and follow speed limits. So what is it with the strike and protest to all these higher penalties for traffic violations? Do not commit any moving violations and we are all good.

Strike! Bike Lanes anyone?

Earlier today, Public Transports were on strike. They are protesting for the higher penalties going to be imposed for traffic violations. If they do not want to be fined, then respect traffic rules and observe road courtesy! The problem is, most if not all public transport drivers, have complete and utter disregard for traffic rules. They think they own the road and that it was built for their use only. Most drivers are the same, always wanting to be ahead of others hence the lack of road courtesy and chaotic roads.

If you ask me, it is about time to impose higher penalties for moving violations. One cannot fathom why they complain about higher penalties, with the matching cries of "we earn so little in a day". What has earnings in a day got to do with higher penalties if you can follow traffic rules? Unless you really plan to disobey and disregard traffic laws every time, then that is the problem.

I was reading some discussions in a local bicycle forum about implementing bike lanes in Cebu City. The discussions were very informative and sometimes passionate. It is interesting to know that most local cyclist are not in tune with the situation and condition of pedaling in the city. Surprised that in a way we do not share the same vision or logic of thinking.

From the discussion, I have gathered some of the contentions about the need for bicycle lanes in the City (mostly are against it).
1. The most common contention was, the roads in the city are already too narrow for the motorist, adding bike lanes will only worsen it.
2.  Second most common concern is, we need to fix the roads and address heavy traffic first before looking into bike lanes.
3. Roads are already congested, bike lanes will just be used by the motorists and in turn putting in harms way the cyclists.
4. The city has other priorities than bike lanes.

First of all, what we lack is discipline and road courtesy. If only drivers can respect everyone on the road, that is:
a. Avoid swerving from one lane to the other and cutting everyone just to be ahead of others,
b. Respect pedestrians, cyclist and other persons using the road.
c. Dimming the lights instead of using high beams during night driving.
d. Use of turn signals (signal lights) when turning left or right.
e. Motorcycles to follow the proper lanes and stop thinking they are Superman.
f. Follow and drive inside the lanes, and giving way to others instead of cutting them.

Then we already solved the traffic woes. Because as observed, the main reason for road congestion and slow moving traffic is the utter lack of road courtesy and discipline. It will not matter if roads are narrow or wide, as long as we learn to follow rules and have due courtesy, we will have better road traffic. We can then incorporate bike lanes to make sure bikes are safe from the motorists. When everyone has road discipline and courtesy, and if everyone will drop the crap mentality of always wanting to be ahead of others, no motorists will be using the bike lane. The roads will be more civilized, traffic will be orderly. No need to worry about expensive fines and higher penalties.

The Weekend Road Trip

Over the weekend, I rode about 100+ kilometers on my bicycle. I never really log my distance covered before, and wow, that was great knowing how far you have biked. It somehow inspires you knowing you can cover those distances.

Last weekend my high school batch mate sent us a Facebook message inviting us (other batch mates) for a weekend ride to Danao City and back. From Cebu City to Danao it is about 30 kilometers. Without second thoughts, I said yes. It was a great idea. Getting reunited with some of your high school batch mates over bicycling is a great and fun idea to say the least.

So we meet up at eBlock 2 at Cebu I.T. Park at 5:30 am, and set for Danao at around 6 am. There were about 6 of us. After our high school years, this is the first time our paths crossed again. Before 8 am we were already at Danao City Fish port. We indulged ourselves to some softdrinks (sugar and liquid) to replenish our energy and of course breakfast and catching up. We had grilled pork and fish....satiable taste, isn't it?

After breakfast, we did some more of catching up with and chitchats of each one's life events and even discussing the possibilities of joining in triathlons. Hahaha, seriously? Come to think of it, it is in fact a great idea, it is not about winning, it is more about the experience, the fun, and finishing the race. Who cares if you finished last, as long as you finish and had fun then it is all good. And we agreed to meet up more regularly and do some weekend cycling. Looking forward to it already.

Just over past 8 am, we started pedaling back to Cebu City. This time to each was its own. It was like, we were racing back to Cebu. I was at a disadvantage as I was riding a Mountain bike, the rest were on Road bikes. Damn, wish I have a road bike too. Now, I am motivated to have one. Should start saving for a Cervelo R3. WIDE GRIN! Drool..