In celebration of the National Bicycle Month this November and in observance of the National Climate Change Week, the cities of Iloilo, Mandaue, and Naga were named as the most bike-friendly cities in the Philippines in the nationwide leg of the Mobility Awards.
“Mobility becomes essential the moment we see how it enhances fundamental development goals such as inclusivity, democracy and gender,” said Pinay Bike Commuter founder Jaramia Amarnani. “And if we want to elevate the importance of women’s rights and the right to good health, while deepening democracy, we need to elevate the importance of mobility,” she added.
Experts tackled the crucial intersections in a webinar today showing converging pathways in the campaign for safer interconnected networks for cyclists and pedestrians across the Philippines.
In time for the second global observance of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, the National Round of the Mobility Awards was officially launched, encouraging everyone to nominate their bike-friendly cities, workplaces and business establishments outside of Metro Manila. Following last year’s successful Mobility Awards in Metro Manila, this years’ awards will focus on recognizing acts of leadership promoting cycling and active modes of transportation in commuting across other cities in the country.
Citizen-led bike and pedestrian count project Metro Manila Counts (MMC) conservatively estimate that half a million cyclists are now on the roads of the capital. This was highlighted in this week’s episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways,” organized by House Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda and the Climate Change Commission (CCC).
