Bike City

Each day more and more commuters are switching to bicycle in Cebu. This is made possible by the constant awareness drive of different cause oriented groups and bike advocates in the city. And what a lovely site it is. However if only we had better roads and discipline from both motorists and cyclists alike, it would be more enticing for more citizens to make the switch to pedal power.

Biking in work clothes

Not minding the scorching heat of the afternoon sun

Waiting for the red light

taking shelter from the sun

Bike with attached sidecar

Cargo trike with umbrella

Man with child

Old or young, it doesn't matter what bicycle.

Cycle chic

Mountain biking to office

Challenges of bike commuting

Bike commuting to work is not just a challenge...but at times a struggle too.

With bicycle commuting there a lot of concerns and things to consider, particularly with bike to work.

1. You will be sweaty and smelly once you arrive in the office.
2. You have to get up early and ride early to avoid the scorching sun and busy rush hour traffic.
3. Safety concerns when you are up against inconsiderate, unruly motorists.
4. Safety concerns with inconsiderate and undisciplined pedestrians.
5. The need to pack your change of clothes and carry them in your bag. Sometimes your clothes would want to be ironed again once you unpack it in the office.
6. Exposure to the elements, fumes, dust, other particles and rain.
7. Parking space. Yes, sometimes it is a challenge as there will be motorcycles taking your spot at the bicycle designated parking area at the office building parking. I really dislike motorcycles. Either they are plain ignorant and cannot understand parking rules or they just don't care and ignore it. Just the same attitude when they are on the road, complete disregard for traffic rules and lacks road courtesy.
8. It is a struggle to wake up early.
9. Sometimes, you'll feel tired in the office or when you are home later in the day.
10. Vehicles thinking they are entitled and that they own the road. These motorists should be banned from the streets and their driver's license revoked.
11. The proposed or rather new city ordinance for bike registration and biker's permit. -> whiskey tango foxtrot.

However, no matter what the challenges are, I always see to it that I go to work on bicycle at least once in a week. Why?

1. Bike commuting helps to clear my mind for a busy day. 
2. Keeps me alert and alive throughout my busy schedule. 
3. Helps with my savings ;) 
4. I am minimizing my carbon footprint and contributing positively to society by giving Mother Earth some slack and buying her some time to heal a little.
5. Sometimes, no need for a change of clothes, I ride on my office attire. Sometimes. And it is FUN!

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.