“The data will essentially be a treasure for the LGU. It can be incorporated into the Smart Mobility project that the Hon. Mayor [Benjie Magalong] is aggressively pursuing,” Eugene Valbuena, focal person of bike-related activities of the office of the Mayor of Baguio City, said. 

“It would be utilized for data analytics, gender sensitivity program of the city, bicyclist population, identify leisure, bike to work, and for sports, infrastructure development, as well as a tool for future decision-making road use particularly, oriented walking and cycling programs of the LGU,” Valbuena added, saying that the data will also be a tool for comparison vis-a-vis carbonized transport system and non-carbonized system of mobility.  

Apart from the Baguio City LGU, this three-day count is a citizen-led collaborative capacity-sharing effort organized by Daily Cycle Movement Baguio and Waewa Baguio Cycling Team in collaboration with the convenors of the Mobility Awards, namely the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project Philippines, MNL Moves, 350.Org Pilipinas, and Pinay Bike Commuter Community. 

Over 60 cycling advocates volunteered to perform the count in La Trinidad, M Roxas, Irisan, Loakan, Marcos Highway, Military Cut-off Road, and Leonard Wood Road during peak hours in the morning (6:00 AM to 8:00 AM) and afternoon (4:00 PM to 6:00 PM). 

Earlier this year, the Mobility Awards hailed Baguio City as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the Philippines, owing to its initiative of putting more bike lanes in the city through its shared roads concept. Two Baguio City residents, namely Valerie De Guzman and Vince Dangiapo were also recognized as Padyak Champions in the awards for their outstanding work as cycling couriers.

*** 

This press release was originally published on the website of the Mobility Awards.