March 29, 2024

Cycling enthusiasts in La Trinidad, Benguet will soon enjoy biking every Sunday like their neighbors in Baguio City.
Councilor Teddy Walang said the bike day aims to encourage residents to take up cycling as an alternative mode of transportation and as a form of exercise.
He said the bike day will be open for all ages and will include orientation of beginner bikers, especially minors who wanted to bike with the guidance of adults.
The number of bicycle users in the municipality has doubled since the start of the pandemic last year, prompting the municipal government to initiate programs for the protection and safety of bikers and motorists.
“We have a lot of biking enthusiasts but they don’t know the safety guidelines that they need to follow as cyclists, especially when they are traversing public roads,” Walang said.
The bike day is part of the recently approved Vulnerable Road Users Ordinance of the municipality, which was given a favorable review by the Benguet provincial board.
Walang said a committee, through an executive order of the mayor, will be created to execute the programs under the measure. The committee will implement programs such as creation of road and traffic signs and conduct information education campaign.  
The ordinance aims to raise public awareness especially among motorists of the presence of road users who are vulnerable to accidents and other risks.
Among the vulnerable road users identified in the ordinance are senior citizens, persons with disability, runners, persons engaged in works along public roads, bikers, and persons riding or leading an animal. – Ofelia C. Empian