A total of 224 biking enthusiasts from La Trinidad, Benguet and neighboring areas joined the bike fun ride to promote care for the Balili River on weekend.
“Our objective is to increase the awareness of the community of the programs we are doing for the protection of the environment especially our river system,” Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Arthur Pedro said.
Organized by the municipal government, the event was part of the annual observance of the Balili River Day every Sept. 16.
Pedro said the activity also enjoined the bikers from various walks of life to take part in protecting the Balili River and other river systems for them to continue appreciating nature during their rides around the municipality and other parts of the country.
The bikers started at the municipal hall grounds then proceeded towards Bell Church then took a U-turn towards Km. 5. The riders rode towards Pico-Puguis Road to Poblacion then crossed towards Cruz and went up to Dengsi, Tawang before making a U-turn towards the municipal hall grounds.
Prior to the event, the LGU led a clean-up drive at the Balili River.
Meanwhile, the municipal council proposed an ordinance protecting vulnerable road users such as senior citizens, persons with disability, pedestrians, and bikers.
Councilor Teddy Walang said once road users are on pedestrian lanes, vehicles are mandated to stop. Also, when road users overtake cyclists, they should be at least two meters from other road users as a safety precaution.
Councilor Guiller Galwan said the proposed Bike Lane Ordinance will be more on road sharing of bikers and motorists as the roads in the capital town are quite narrow.
He said motorists and bikers should have mutual cooperation when it comes to road sharing especially in this time of pandemic where public transport is limited. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 26, 2024
