DURING the opening of the now annual “Cycling HeARTS” exhibit – a tribute by various local artists to biking – at the Casa Real Gallery in early March last year, Iloilo City councilor Jay Treñas quoted Albert Einstein in his short speech: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”
Iloilo has been dubbed one of the most “bikeable” cities in the country with the longest dedicated and traffic segregated bike lane running along a major thoroughfare in the Philippines.
Valuing road sharing and bike safety, the young city councilor launched the social enterprise “Nutshell Coco Helmets” a few years ago, with hand-made recreational sports headgear made out of recycled coconut shells.
According to reports, only about two percent of the population of the Philippines owns motor vehicles, but motor vehicles are given all of the road space. The remaining 98 percent of our people are not given proper sidewalks, bike lanes, and a good public transportation system.
Even with Iloilo’s protected bike lanes dedicated solely for cyclists and the city’s award-winning “road sharing” programs, there’s always the need to practice rules and heed safety tips.
Remember – tweaking Einstein’s words of wisdom just a bit – “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must learn to follow road safety rules.”
Here are a few safety tips Ilonggos should keep in mind when traversing our city on two wheels:
Protect Your Head. Always wear a helmet, maybe even try the coconut shell headgear.
Stay Visible. If drivers can see you, they are less likely to hit you. Use lights when biking at night or in low-light conditions. Reflectors and visibility gear can also come in handy.
Look, Signal & Look Again. Use hand signals to let drivers and other bicyclists know where you’re going. Look and make eye contact. Don’t assume drivers will stop.
Stay Alert. Keep a lookout for obstacles in your path.
Go with the Flow. Bike in the direction of traffic.
Act like a Car. Drivers are used to the patterns of other drivers. Don’t weave in and out of traffic. The more predictably you ride, the safer you are. Check for traffic. Be aware of traffic around you.
Don’t Get Distracted. Don’t listen to music or talk on the phone while riding.
Obey all Traffic Laws & Lights.
Assure Bicycle Readiness. Is your bicycle properly adjusted? Is your saddle in a comfortable position? Make the adjustments while you still can.
Do a Quick Bicycle Test. Before every journey, check your brakes and your wheels. Make sure that “quick release” wheels are properly secured./PN
