BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – The Iloilo Bike Festival 2024 from July 20 to 28 showcased the city’s cycling culture through an array of activities aimed at promoting cycling as both a hobby and a mode of transportation.
The festival featured 26 key events, including the “Pedal Power: Grand Fun Ride” on July 27, which drew hundreds of cyclists to Park Square in Megaworld Iloilo Business Park. The event catered to riders of all types, enhancing community spirit and cycling enthusiasm among Ilonggos.
Wilfredo Sy Jr., the festival director, said, “We aim to be consistent in promoting active mobility and positioning cycling as a practical transportation option for the people of Iloilo.”
The festival’s highlight was the “BMX-Bikes and Music Xperience”, turning Park Square into a bustling music venue.
The event combined cycling with music, featuring performances themed around the festival’s motif by local artists.
Adding a creative touch, the “Puni Siklesta-Porma Siklesta” contest allowed participants to decorate their bikes and attire based on the theme “Cycle for Change: Sapat-sapat sa Kabulakan.” This event underscored the link between cycling, artistic expression, and environmental consciousness.
Former councilor Jay Treñas, festival founder, said, “Iloilo City, recognized as the Bike Capital of the Philippines, continues to lead in fostering a robust bike culture nationwide.”
The festival also included “SHIFT HAPPENS: A Mobility Forum” where diverse transportation stakeholders discussed the challenges and advancements in cycling infrastructure and policies.
With a lineup that ranged from racing events to a bike food crawl, the festival not only highlighted Iloilo’s extensive 11-kilometer bike lane network but also its commitment to environmental stewardship and community wellness.
Mayor Jerry Treñas remarked on the festival’s success, “The overwhelming participation in the Fun Ride is a testament to our dedication to creating a welcoming space for cyclists and solidifying our status as the true bike capital of the country.”
Other events were: Bilang Siklista, Car Free Day, Mega Criterium, Tour De Iloilo, Spokespersons Recognition Nights, World Record Attempt Pedal Ride, Spin Tutors Bike Clinic, Hot Wheels Bike Expo, Kiddie Race, The Ambitious Bike Race, Pedal Party, Bike Buddies Meet and Greet, Biseklitera Tour, Bike Food Crawl, Drag Sprint III, Push Bike Race, Gears and Beers-Biker Tambayan, Cinesiklista, Pedal Projection, and Cyclopedia-A Bike Exhibit./PN
