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Bikes > Cycle

Here are the challenges faced by cyclists in Metro Manila

We’re sure there are more, but these are based on our experience

Yes, electric posts block the path of bicycle riders. PHOTO BY VERNON B. SARNE

If we count the many wrong things on our roads from the point of view of bicycle riders in Metro Manila, we’ll probably need more than a reasonably long article to discuss them. So let’s just focus on the “few” challenges we encounter on our way to work—which, by the way, is just a conservative 2km distance of decently paved asphalt.

To be fair, the road we traverse every day now has what passes for a bicycle lane. Better than nothing, right? Sure. But when cycling is the only way many people travel these days, we certainly deserve better. For instance, why is said bicycle lane made like this? It has obstacles that make you think you’re in a hurdle race. A lot of cyclists, we bet, get into accidents just by avoiding these barriers that jut out of nowhere.

See how the bicycle lane disappears because we suppose the sidewalks don't align? PHOTO BY VERNON B. SARNE

And then, of course, you run into motorists and vendors who believe it’s a bright idea to park inside the lane.

Can someone inform these guys that the inner lane isn't for them? PHOTOS BY VERNON B. SARNE

Check out this video we took of motorcycle riders dominating a bicycle lane—so much so that bicycle users were relegated to the sidewalk.

Maybe many are still not used to sharing the road with cyclists. But it has to start now. The latter are here to stay and will only grow in number as the days pass.



Vernon B. Sarne

Vernon is the founder and editor-in-chief of VISOR. He has been an automotive journalist since July 1995. He became one by serendipity, walking into the office of a small publishing company and applying for a position he had no idea was for a local car magazine. God has watched over him throughout his humble journey. He writes the ‘Spoiler’ column.



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